New Advanced Procedure

Are you aware that dental implants are typically the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth?

Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using near by teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor places in your jaw bone.

Missing Teeth? Got Dental Implants?

Did you know that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost a minimum of 1 permanent tooth due to gum disease or an accident? Furthermore, by age 74, 26% of adults have zero permanent teeth remaining!

Technology has evolved to the point where these patients have alternative treatments outside of Dentures or fixed bridges. Dentures and fixed bridges tend to have problems associated with them as time goes on… Dentures can become loose and make embarrassing clicking sounds when people talk or eat. They can also lead to bone loss. Fixed bridges can affect the adjacent teeth that are healthy. Not to say that a denture or a fixed bridge is not a good option. They are both very good and appropriate options. However, the research and science has clearly shown dental implants to be a much better long term treatment for the patient.

Dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor surgically places in the jawbone. These dental implants are composed of titanium metal that “fuses” with the jawbone through a process called “osseointegration,” these implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that show the world that you have “false teeth,” and because they are made of titanium you do not have to worry about decay like you see with fixed bridges. Also, given the fact that the titanium is surgically inserted into your jaw bone you will typically not have an issue with bone loss.

Dental implants have been around for a while now… Doctors have been placing them for over 20 years and the best part is that most of the implants that were placed in the late 80s and early 90s are still operating at peak performance. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Basics of a Dental Implant

If you are interested in replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant it is important to understand the basics. A dental implant is comprised of 3 parts: the titanium implant; the abutment, and the crown. The titanium implant is surgically placed in the jaw bone where the titanium will then fuse with the jaw bone. The abutment fits over the part of the implant that is protruding from the gum line, and the crown is the part that looks like a natural tooth that attaches to the abutment.

Many times people who are missing one tooth opt to get a fixed bridge; but there are a few things that you need to know before taking this rout. A bridge may damage the healthy, adjacent teeth that may or may not need to be restored in the future. Then depending on the age of the patient there is the additional cost of possibly having to replace the bridge once, twice or more over the course of a lifetime. This also holds true for a removable partial denture… Research has shown that within five to seven years there is a failure rate of up to 30% in teeth located next to a fixed bridge or removable partial denture. Clearly opting to get a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture can end up being much more expensive in the long run.

As you can see in the illustration above, the presence of natural teeth or implants preserves the jawbone. When a tooth is extracted or missing, the bone may erode and/or weaken to the point where bone grafting will be necessary for placement of the dental implant. When the implant integrates with the bone in your jaw that implant will provide the same stability as the tooth that was previously there.

One of the things that patients and doctors alike can hang their hat on is that there is over 50 years of clinical research supporting dental implants. Most of the time they are the best long term treatment option to replace missing teeth.down of adjacent healthy teeth.

One part about dental implants that patients and doctors can both hang their hat on is the fact that there is over 50 years of supporting research for dental implant procedures. Most of the time they are the best option to replace missing teeth.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

In a case where the doctor needs to replace many teeth dental implants can be a great option. The patient can have two or more implants placed in order to support the replacement teeth that will be sitting on top of the implants.

Most patients that have had a denture in the past, then opted for dental implants speak of the quality of life difference. The implants will feel like natural teeth and you will not have to worry about bone loss making you look older or embarrassing moments with the dentures. Not to mention the difference when you eat!

For more information: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-implants