Losing teeth is a common problem, but there is a lot more at risk than just a visible gap between your teeth. This can lead to chewing difficulties and bone resorption, in addition to drifting and shifting of the adjacent and opposite teeth. This can negatively impact your appearance and oral aesthetics, lowering your self-confidence.
Fortunately, Summerlin dental implants can help overcome hurdles caused by missing teeth to restore your oral function and appearance.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are devices that are surgically inserted into your jaw bones to fuse through a process called osseointegration. These prostheses consist of a titanium screw-like post that mimics your natural tooth roots. Implants act as a foundation on which artificial teeth such as crowns, bridges, and dentures are placed.
What are the types of dental implants?
There are several types of dental implants that have been discussed below:
Single implants
- These implants replace a single tooth lost due to caries, trauma, or extraction. A single implant post is inserted into the jawbone that provides anchorage to a porcelain or ceramic crown.
All-on-4 dental implants
- These are specialized implants that replace all or most of the teeth lost. Instead of having a single implant post for each tooth, your dentist will provide 4 implant posts to support a full arch of artificial teeth.
All-on-6 dental implants
- These implants are similar to all-on-4 implants, but 6 implant posts are inserted into your jawbone for anchorage.
How are dental implants placed?
Your dentist will evaluate your mouth to check for the number of missing teeth and the health of your jawbone. Once you are deemed a suitable candidate for dental implants, the following procedure is adopted.
First Visit
- You will be given local anesthesia, and cut open your gums using a surgical blade. This helps expose the underlying bone.
- Your dentist will then drill holes into your jawbone to insert the implant posts. The number of implants depends on how many teeth you are missing and the type of restorations (crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures).
- You will be sent home for healing while the implant post-fuses with your jawbone (osseointegration). This may take around 3 to 4 months.
Second visit
- Your dentist will record your full mouth impression and send it to the laboratory for fabrication of your custom-made implant restoration.
Third visit
- The fabricated restoration will be placed through the implant abutment (the part that connects the implant post to the restoration).
- Your dentist will check your bite and provide recovery instructions.
Losing teeth can be stressful since it can cause difficulty in chewing, premature aging, and drifting of adjacent teeth, which negatively impact your smile and appearance. But with the invention of dental implants, you can replace lost teeth to restore your oral health.
