Most people are candidates for dental implants and their benefits. The dental implants procedure is a tooth restoration that involves inserting implant posts into the jaw to support a dental prosthesis. However, certain aspects of a person’s oral health can determine whether they can receive dental implants or not.
Dental implant restoration is available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. Dentists often recommend dental implants after performing a comprehensive evaluation of the patient. Call us today at 620-317-0286 to book an appointment or learn more about our services.
A Great Restoration Option For Most People
Dental implants are a durable and popular dental restoration for people who have lost one or more teeth. Failure to replace lost teeth makes chewing inefficient and may disrupt the structure of the oral cavity. Fortunately, people looking to restore the function and appearance of their smile can turn to dental implants. The dental implant process involves the surgical placement of a titanium implant into the jawbone to function as the foundation for a replacement tooth to keep it secure.
The dentist will then attach an abutment and a dental prosthesis (crown, bridge, or denture) to complete the restoration process. Dental implants have a high success rate of up to 98 percent. This is because its position in the jawbone helps to stimulate the bone and keep the living tissue alive. The restoration is the closest patients can get to having teeth that look, feel, and function like their original teeth.
- Dental implants are a durable and popular dental restoration for people who have lost one or more teeth.
Possible Dental Implant Options
According to the American Dental Association, implants are one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past four decades. Along with helping to restore functionality and completing a set of teeth, dental implants can also help restore the appearance of a natural smile. It is a versatile treatment option that works to treat a variety of complications, including those mentioned below.
One Missing Tooth
Many dentists recommend dental implants to patients who have a missing tooth. Whether the missing tooth is the result of natural aging, a blow to the face, or another cause, implants work well as a long-term replacement solution. For single tooth replacement, a dental crown will also be attached to the implant. The dental crown will provide the appearance of a natural tooth.
Multiple Missing Teeth
Implants are also an option for multiple missing teeth, as well. For a section of two or more missing teeth, the dentist may recommend dental implants with a bridge attachment. For full arch replacement, it might be best to attach a full denture to surgically-placed implants in the jaw.
Severely Damaged Teeth
Most dentists will try to save the natural tooth after damage occurs through dental crowns or another type of restoration. However, there are times when damaged or loose teeth are better off being removed and replaced with dental implants. This is the case in situations where an infected tooth threatens the patient’s oral and overall health.
- Along with helping to restore functionality and completing a set of teeth, dental implants can also help restore the appearance of a natural smile.
Factors That Enable Patients To Receive Dental Implants
Healthy Gums
Having healthy gums is crucial to a patient being able to receive dental implants. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and is, therefore, one of the most common inhibitors to being eligible for dental implants. Periodontal diseases damage the gum and jawbone supporting the teeth. Since dental implants integrate with the jawbone, any infection that affects the gum may also jeopardize the jawbone. There is a high risk of implant failure in patients with uncontrolled or untreated gum disease. Until the condition is under control, the dentist will not recommend getting dental implants.
Sufficient Bone Density
Aside from healthy gums, having healthy bone density is also crucial to dental implant candidacy. Bone density affects the condition of the jawbone. Jawbone health is crucial because it provides primary support for the implant. Without proper reinforcement from a strong bone, the implant restoration may come loose. The dentist will examine the jawbone to ensure it has the strength and density to hold an implant. Jawbone deterioration may follow advanced gum disease, causing erosion of healthy bone structure or tooth loss, when the jawbone stops receiving stimulation due to tooth loss. Fortunately, the dentist can use a bone graft to boost the strength and integrity of the jawbone.
- Aside from healthy gums, having healthy bone density is also crucial to dental implant candidacy.
Missing Or Crowded Teeth
Missing or crowded teeth can also prevent a person from being a dental implant candidate. Tooth loss can be a result of infection, trauma, or accident. Sometimes, infection sets in if patients fail to adopt good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing and flossing, mouthwash, and visiting the dentist for checkups and cleaning.
Additionally, people with crowded teeth may need orthodontic treatment or tooth extraction before receiving a dental implant. These treatments can help create enough space in a patient’s mouth to allow for dental implant placement. Anyone interested in getting dental implants needs to be ready to take their oral health seriously. Poor oral hygiene may cause premature failure of the implants. Usually, the dentist will provide instructions on how to take care of the new teeth properly.
- Additionally, people with crowded teeth may need orthodontic treatment or tooth extraction before receiving a dental implant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Dental Implant Terminology
An abutment is a component that attaches to the dental implant so a professional can place a dental crown to provide patients with an artificial, aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional smile.
Multiple replacement teeth that are fixed in place via attachment to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Endosteal is a type of dental implant that a professional places in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.
Eposteal is a type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.
An implant-supported bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix in place with the use of dental implants inserted in the jaw to create a sturdy set of artificial teeth.
Osseointegration is the process by which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months after an oral health professional places the implant in the jaw.
Literally “around the tooth.”
Resorption is the process by which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw since there are no tooth roots to cause the necessary stimulation and proceeds to use the calcium in other areas.
Transosteal is a type of dental implant that includes threaded posts that penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.
Call Us Today
We are here to help patients make the right decision about treatment and determine if they are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are interested in learning more about dental implant treatment, then call us. We can schedule a time for you to come in for a visit. We can determine what your oral health needs are for a healthy and bright smile.