What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Unlike bridges or dentures, a dental implant isn’t attached to surrounding teeth — for all intents and purposes, it is a brand-new tooth. As a result, it’s the most natural solution in both appearance and function for either missing teeth or extreme tooth decay.
A dental implant has three main components:
- The implant itself, which is the small, screw-like instrument that serves as the new tooth’s root. This is installed first and normally takes a few months to heal and be integrated into the jaw bone.
- The crown, which is the visible part of the implant that looks just like a tooth. In fact, it’s coloured and shaped to blend in perfectly with your other teeth! The crown is installed once the implant has bonded with the jaw, which usually takes several months.
- The post, also known as an ‘abutment’. This is the component that joins the crown to the implant.
The implant process requires only a minor operation, during which anesthesia is provided to ensure your comfort. Your dentist will run you through all relevant aftercare information and answer any questions you may have before or after the procedure.
The benefits of dental implants
The various advantages of dental implants set them apart from other different types of teeth replacement solutions, with the slightly longer installation process yielding long-term dividends.
- Dental implants are permanent, making them a more robust solution than a bridge or dentures. They are made from durable, non-corrosive materials that do not decay (or get cavities!) like natural teeth. So, as long as you look after them, dental implants will perform just as well decades down the line as when they were first installed.
- Dental implants are safe and do not risk impacting your healthy teeth because, unlike a bridge or dentures, they are completely independent.
- Dental implants maintain your facial bone structure, which can start to change if missing teeth are not attended to and the jaw bone starts to degrade, gums recede, or other teeth begin to crowd around to try and fill the gap.
- Dental implants are cost-effective because, though they may involve a higher upfront cost than other solutions, they last an extremely long time and their durability means they are unlikely to require additional cost outlays or replacement.
- Dental implants maintain eating and speech abilities that may begin to deteriorate if the gaps left by missing teeth are not attended to.
Different dental implant types
Below, we will outline the different types of dental implants and the different situations in which they may be used:
Endosteal dental implants
The preferred dental implant method, endosteal implants are constructed from a mix of various materials, including alloplastics and either titanium or zirconia. Their installation follows the standard implant process outlined above, with the implant itself inserted into the jaw and given time to be absorbed before the crown is subsequently attached via a post.
Subperiosteal dental implants
This option is better suited to people who don’t have the natural jawbone structure required to support an endosteal implant. Instead of penetrating the jawbone, a subperiosteal implant sits above the jawbone but below the gum tissue.
All-on-4 dental implants
Combining the best of both worlds when it comes to implants and dentures, an All-on-4 implant is designed to fully restore your upper or lower jaw. Four implants are inserted along the jawline to support a full arch of teeth, making it a great solution if a significant number of teeth are missing.
The All-on-4 implant differs from the other methods described because there isn’t an implant for each individual tooth. Further, the arch of teeth can be more easily removed from the anchoring implants to better facilitate cleaning.
Zygomatic dental implants
As the name suggests, zygomatic implants are anchored to the zygoma, a facial bone located under the eye. This type of implant is installed via a more invasive procedure and is generally reserved for patients who do not have the jawbone density needed to accommodate endosteal or subperiosteal implants.
Do you think you may be a suitable candidate for a dental implant? Get in touch with Phoenix Road Dental Surgery to book your consultation and we can advise you on the best course of action for your given circumstances.
Article Source — what-are-the-benefits-of-dental-implants-phoenix-road-dental