There are numerous reasons why a person may lose a tooth (e.g. periodontal disease, tooth decay) and when this happened in the past the treatment options were things like dentures or dental bridges. However, nowadays there is the option of going for dental implants instead. These are essentially tooth root replacements. They are used by dentists and orthodontists to create firm foundations for removable or fixed replacement teeth to be added to.
The advantages of using dental implants
There are in fact a number of advantages to using dental implants. A small number of these are listed below:
- Greater convenience – with dental implants being fixed and permanent, it removes the need to embarrassingly remove dentures and then to reattach with a messy adhesive material in order to keep them firmly in place.
- Easier to eat – because dentures are not fixed in place, they can often move and slide around when eating food. However, dental implants do not do this, thus allowing you to eat that much easier.
- Improved speech – wearing dentures that do not fit well makes it difficult to talk, causing you to do things like slur and mumble when attempting to talk. With dental implants being fixed in place, your speech is not impacted upon.
The success of dental implants
The success of dental implants actually varies somewhat and depends on the exact location along the jaw where they are positioned. That being said, the overall success rate of dental implants is around 98 percent. If they are looked after correctly, dental implants can last you a whole lifetime. For a successful experience, head to dental implants Geelong.
Who can get dental implants?
If you are able to undergo a normal routine dental surgery or tooth extraction then you are healthy enough to be considered for receiving a dental implant. It is vital that your gums are healthy and that you have a sufficient amount of bone in order to hold the implant to. You also need to be committed to keeping up good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist or orthodontist. If you are someone who has a chronic disorder that is uncontrolled, such as heart disease or diabetes, is a heavy smoker, or is undergoing some sort of radiation therapy, then your suitability for dental implants will need to be evaluated on an individual basis.
The process of having dental implants fitted
The first thing that needs to be done is the development of an individualized treatment plan. This is done to address any specific requirements you may have and is done by your dentist or orthodontist. Once this has been agreed, then the process of placing a small titanium post into the bone within the socket of your missing tooth begins. After this has fully bonded, an abutment is secured to the post in order to hold your new tooth in place. The crown (replacement tooth) is then attached to the abutment. This is matched to the color of your existing teeth.
