Providing patients with a solution to having lost teeth, dental implants are one of the best and most successful restorative dental solutions today. One of the top advantages is that dental implants provide a permanent answer. It does not matter if a patient’s teeth are lost due to trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease, dental implants are a perfect artificial tooth solution. Used in many different situations, dental implants can be used to secure and support dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. Using them as an anchor can help securely anchor the appliances in place. Unlike denture plates which can slip or shift while eating or speaking, dentures anchored by dental implants remain secured in place. With dental implants, they look and feel like the real thing. Appearing like natural teeth, they can be cared for as if they were real teeth. Brushing and flossing can be done just like it is with natural teeth. Why not contact us at Oak Park Dental to get answers to all of your dental implant questions?
Dental Implants, What Are They?
A dental implant is made up of three sections, each one performing a very important function to the appliance. The first section is called the implant. This is permanently screwed into the patient’s jawbone and will provide the supportive substructure to the dental restoration. The second section is known as the abutment. The abutment anchors to the implant. Crowns can then be secured to the abutment to complete the dental implant. Dental crowns are the visible section and can be tinted to match the patient’s existing teeth as well as their facial color, so they look more natural.Why Should I Get Dental Implants?
One of the most common concerns of most people that wear dentures is that they will slip out of place. Using an adhesive gel, traditional denture wearers have to apply the adhesive several times throughout the day to ensure the dentures stay securely in place. Even with that, the dentures can slip and slide depending upon the situation. Many times, the traditional denture has to be reshaped to make sure it can be placed correctly in the patient’s mouth. This is not a problem with dental implants.Dental implants become part of the patient’s mouth, the artificial teeth feeling like natural ones that can be brushed and flossed. Anchored permanently, dental implants become a part of the patient’s mouth which means no food can get caught between the denture and the soft tissue of the patient’s mouth. This means possible infections and bacteria will not be able to find a place to grow.
Placing Dental Implants
While it is necessary to have more than one office visit, patients feel it is well worth it. Cleaning the infections along the gum line and removing the damaged or decayed teeth, the first step can be more involved than the rest. If the patient suffers from gum disease, this is the time the bacteria will be cleaned, and any infected tissue will be removed. If there is significant bone structure loss, this will have to be addressed too, as the dental implants will need adequate bone mass to be secured properly.You may require a bone graft prior to receiving your dental implants. Dental implants are the only way you can stop bone resorption, but they need a healthy jaw to support them, which grafting can provide. Bone grafting is performed to restore lost bone. The basic premise of bone grafting is very simple — new bone is grafted onto a site of deteriorated bone. There are different grafting techniques, including ridge augmentations, sinus lifts, and socket grafts. We will work with you to decide which technique is best, explaining each method in detail and answering any questions you may have about whether or not you may be a candidate.