Why Dental Implants Are an Excellent Solution For Missing Teeth
Dental implants not only replace your teeth but your tooth root as well. Get an in-depth look at what implants are and how implants work.
Yearly, millions of Americans seek dental care because of an oral issue. Most of the time, it’s a missing tooth. Currently, approximately 178 million Americans are missing a tooth. As though that figure isn’t shocking, a whopping 40 million Americans don’t have teeth.
There are many reasons why people lose their teeth. Irrespective of the reason, a missing tooth will not only affect your smile but also how you eat food and speak.
For this reason, we have one of the best solutions currently available in modern dentistry for replacing not only missing teeth but also tooth roots. Dental implants in Greater Houston can help restore that beautiful smile.
Understanding Implants
When you lose a tooth, it is wiser to replace not only a tooth but also the tooth root. Implants not only aid in replacing your tooth but also replacing your tooth root. Implants are typically made of titanium.
An implant consists of titanium posts that are surgically fitted into your jawbone and come up to your gum line. The post typically acts as the anchor for an artificial tooth or implant-supported dentures.
Then another device known as an abutment is screwed on the titanium post where the artificial tooth or crown gets attached to.
Why Do You Need an Implant?
If you have lost a tooth, several teeth or all of your teeth, dental implants can be used to replace them. The aim of using implants is to restore your smile as well as tooth function.
If you have lost a tooth, you can either use removable dentures, fixed bridges, or dental implants.
Although dentures are cheap, they are not desirable because you have to keep on removing them. Also, it can affect your taste buds and change your sensory experience with food.
On the other hand, some bridges are dependent on your other teeth for anchorage.
An implant is the only option that uses your bone as anchorage and mimics your teeth’s look and function.
Can Anyone Get Implants?
You can be considered for an implant if you are healthy enough to withstand an oral surgery or an extraction. But it doesn’t end there. You must have healthy gums followed by enough healthy bone to hold a dental implant in place.
It would help if you also had proper dental habits and committed to regular dental visits.
On the other hand, our dentist will have to examine you if:
- You are a heavy smokerYou suffer from an uncontrolled chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes.
- You have undergone radiation therapy in the head or neck region.
Types of Dental Implants
Currently, there are three main types of dental implants that you can choose from:
- Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are suitable for almost anyone but will need you to have a healthy and good jawbone for the titanium post to fuse to.
Typically, our dentist will assess your jawbone and gums, and if they are healthy, the titanium post will be inserted in the bone. It takes a couple of months for the post to fuse to your bone.
Once you are healed, the false teeth can be placed.
- Subperiosteal Implants
In Subperiosteal implants, the titanium post is not surgically implanted in the jawbone but is rested on the bone under the gum. The post is typically fixed with a post attached to it.
The gum will heal around the protruding post, thus holding it in place. The false teeth will be secured to the protruding post.
The procedure is appropriate for you if you are either afraid of Endosteal implants or do not have enough jawbone and do not want to undergo bone grafting.
- Zygomatic Implants
These are the most complicated and least common type of implants. Instead of being attached to the jawbone, the implant is attached to the cheekbone.
Benefits of Implants
There are numerous benefits of using implants, including:
- You will have improved speech as compared to dentures which can easily slip causing you to mumble
- The implants resemble real teeth in how they feel and look
- You will have an easier time chewing food since they function like natural teeth
- They become a part of you, so they are more comfortable
- Implants can last a lifetime with proper care
With dental implants, you will not just be restoring your smile, but also restoring the function of your teeth. If you are considering getting dental implants in Greater Houston Dental Arts, call us to book an appointment.