What Are Dental Implants And How Do They Work?

By Author: Jason Mittel
Total Articles: 2
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Dental implants, which are made from biocompatible ceramic or titanium alloys, provide a firm foundation for replacement teeth. They replace the roots of the tooth that was lost and are affixed permanently to the jawbone. Implants are invisible because like the tooth roots they replace, they sit below the gum line. Only the realistic looking dental crowns (replacement teeth) that are attached at the top are visible. Implants are placed during a minor surgical procedure at a dentist’s office and fuse to your jawbone as they heal. It is a process known medically as osseointegration. Because the bone grows around them, they provide a bite strength nearly equal to real teeth. It is an enormous improvement over other replacement options. Well-placed implants can also support dental bridges and dentures which is a way to more cost effectively replace a group of missing teeth. Traditional bridges shifted bite force to adjacent teeth, causing them to weaken and fail. When implants support the replacement teeth, they work together with others nearby and do not cause damage.
When missing teeth are throughout the mouth and not ...
... in single location, individual dental implants are the best solution. When entire rows of upper or lower teeth are missing, implant-supported bridges and dentures are desirable solutions. They have many of the benefits of implants with lower costs and faster recovery times in many cases. Improving and maintain your oral health is a goal of any dental treatment. Among tooth replacement options, implants stand alone as the only method that also helps to preserve jawbone and support adjacent natural teeth. Given these advantages, it’s no wonder they have enjoyed an explosion in popularity for the past 20 years or more. For anyone not yet familiar with the possibilities and advantages, it’s time to make a point to learn more. Patient education is a significant priority for all holistic dental clinics and they can discuss with you all of the possible options to replace missing teeth. Because nearly everyone is concerned about maintaining their appearance, implants can help preserve facial structure that may change when teeth are lost and not replaced. The bone structure preserved by implants is key to appearance and maintaining a more youthful look. Missing teeth and deteriorated jawbone can show in your face.
The surgical procedure to place dental implants takes place in a dental office. You will be under local anesthesia. If you have diseased teeth that need to be removed first, it will occur first during the same oral surgery. Computer-guided placement will direct the angle and position of each implant. They are situated to maximize connection to the jawbone and produce the greatest strength. Also, the positions are selected to stay clear of nearby nerves and the sinuses for teeth in the upper row. The duration of surgery is from one to three hours, depending on how many implants are being placed. Afterward, you may have mild discomfort that can be addressed with over-the-counter pain medications. For some patients, discomfort is so minor that they do not need to take medications afterward. In general, the implants are left to heal for several months during which time they are fuse to the bone in osseointegration. During this time you will avoid chewing firm foods on top of the implants – but once they heal you will enjoy an unrestricted diet which is a significant boost to your quality of life.
Jason Mittel is the author of this article. For further detail about Dental Implants Long Island please visit the website.