Dental Implants 101: What You Need To Know

A smile is one of the best things a person can wear, which is why a lot of people would invest in it. The dental industry is the star in this regard. To maintain a picture-perfect smile, there are different treatments a person may choose to undergo. Some of these are braces, whitening, root canals, dental implants, and dentures.

Personal hygiene plays a vital role in keeping the teeth healthy. Regular brushing and avoiding too many sweets are effective methods. Failure to do so means the vulnerability of the teeth to infections and cavities. In a worst-case scenario, the original teeth will have to be removed, and the dream of having a picture-perfect smile will no longer be possible.

But, in truth, nothing is impossible. In the world of science, there’s always a way, such as dental implants. To learn more about the treatment, here’s some basic information:

Location

A dental implant's function is to replace a missing tooth permanently. It serves as a prosthetic replacement.

During the procedure, the surgical fixture is inserted into the jawbone. For a few months, the implant will be absorbed by and, eventually, fuse with the bone. Because of its purpose, a dental implant is also referred to as an artificial tooth root. It’s specifically attached and inserted into the jawbone to mimic the original tooth and avoid overlapping nearby teeth. In short, it’s simply placed at the exact position of the missing tooth.

Material 

Titanium is the primary material used for dental implants. Some metals are prone to rusting, and if those were infused inside the mouth, it might cause a nasty infection.

Titanium is a strong metal that’s free from rusting. Aft the implant is placed in the jawbone, the bone itself will grow around the implant. This process is called osseointegration. After which, the implant will, then, function like a natural tooth.

Root Canal VS Dental Implant

There’s a tendency that a root canal may be confused with a dental implant as they both involve dental roots. That is true, but the difference lies in the removal of the tooth. In a root canal procedure, the dentist will save the tooth from completely rotting. They’ll clean it and have the root examined for possible solutions. Then, the root will be fixed using some replacement material.

On the other hand, a dental implant is the last resort. It’s usually done when the tooth has long been removed, and the patient wants their teeth to be back in their former glory. The dentist will replace the missing tooth and perform the procedure.

Dental Implants

There are different types of dental implants. The first type is the endosteal implant. It’s the most common type and entails requirements before a patient can qualify for the procedure. The requirements are as follows: must have a missing tooth, must have good oral health, must have a fully gown jaw, and finally, must have healthy gum tissue. All of these are strictly followed to ensure that the patient won’t experience post-surgery problems.

Dental implants can cause gum diseases if they go wrong and potentially worsen a patient's oral health.

An endosteal implant is done through a series of stages. They are as follows:

• Dentist consultation
• Damaged tooth removal
• Implant insertion
• Abutment placement
• New teeth

The next type is a subperiosteal implant. This procedure is ideal for patients suffering from bone loss. Instead of inserting the implant into the bone, the implant is simply attached to the bone.

The third type of implant is zygomatic. It’s the procedure wherein either an endosteal or subperiosteal implant may not be applicable. In this procedure, the cheekbone is used instead of the jaw. The stages involve a CBCT scan, creation of a jaw structural model, and a fixed bridge installation.

Price And Insurance

Dental treatments are pricy. What’s more, insurance doesn’t cover dental implants. Each implant could cost around USD$3,000 up to USD$4,500. On that note, observe proper oral hygiene if you’re not prepared to shell out such amount!

Risks

The success rate of dental implants is relatively high, standing at 98%. There are risks, but they’re less likely to happen. If they do, they’re most probably caused by the following:

• Oral infection
• Dental implant fracture
• Overloading of implants
• Damage to the surrounding area
• Poor positioning of the implant
• Poor bone quality

Conclusion

A dental implant is a great way to achieve a picture-perfect smile. Although its success rate is high, it can be costly. Before pushing through with the procedure, know the consequences of dental implants to see if it they’re worth the money and losing your natural teeth.