What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal posts, which are commonly made of titanium, which are surgically placed into the jawbone under your gums. Once they are in place, your dentist will mount or attach replacement teeth to the implants. Dental implants are becoming a popular and effective solution for people who a missing teeth, have rotten teeth or for those who suffer from long-term dental problems. They are designed to fit, feel and function like your natural teeth. Because of the many benefits, dental implants are quickly becoming the new standard in modern tooth replacement.

How do Dental Implants Work?

Once they are placed under the gums, implants fuse to your jawbone which allow them to provide stable and secure support for artificial teeth. When dentures and bridges are mounted to the implants, they do not slip or shift which is especially critical when you are eating and speaking. This secure fit helps the implant supported dentures and bridges feel more natural than traditional dentures.

Traditional bridges and dentures that suction to the gum can be uncomfortable and lack adequate support. Additionally, ordinary bridges are attached to the remaining teeth next to the empty space. One advantage of using an implant is that the adjacent teeth are not impacted.

In order to be a good candidate for implants, patients must first have healthy gums and adequate bone structure required to support the implant. Regular oral hygiene and dental visits are critical to ensure the dental implants are successful.

Implants are typically more expensive than other tooth replacement methods. In addition, most insurance carriers cover less than 10 percent of the cost, if they cover any at all.

The American Dental Association (ADA) considers two types of implants safe treatment options:

  • Endosteal implants— implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Once the surrounding gum tissue heals, a second surgery is required to connect the post to the original implant. Once complete, the artificial tooth is attached.
  • Subperiosteal implants— a metal frame is fitted onto the jawbone just below the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame fuses to the jawbone. Posts that are attached to the frame, erupt through the gums and artificial teeth are mounted to the posts.

Dental implants typically consist of three different parts:

  1. The implant: A screw which acts as the root for your new teeth. This the component that permanently attaches or fuses to your jaw.
  2. The abutment: A permanent connector that supports and holds a tooth or bridge of teeth. The abutment can only be removed by the dentist.
  3. The crown: This is the part of the tooth which is visible. It is commonly manufactured from zirconium or porcelain for aesthetics and durability.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or an entire upper and/or lower set of teeth. For patients who need to restore a full arch, they may be a candidate for the all-on-four treatment option. In this procedure, surgeons place four implants into the gumline and attach a full arch of teeth.

Our team of experts look forward to working with you to rebuild your beautiful, confident smile.

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