Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants are currently the most advanced method forreplacing missing teeth available.  Theyoffer considerable advantages for patients.

The greatest advantage of dental implantsis that they look very natural and feel just like natural teeth. They oftenhelp the patient to regain self-esteem both in personal and professionalatmospheres because they no longer feel that they are being judged by theirdental imperfections.

Dental implants, unlike dental bridges and dentures do nothave an effect on the surrounding teeth and do not rely on them for support. Thismeans that dental implants result in the maximum retention of healthy teeth materialand the best continued dental health.

Dental implants are affixed to the jawbone, rather thananchored to neighboring teeth or being completely removable.  This allows the patient to eat, speak andeven smile with the confidence that their teeth will not shift out of place.There is no need for any types of dental paste or glue in order to maintainimplant stability.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant isan artificial tooth that is made up of three parts. These include the implant,the abutment, and the restoration. The implant is a metal post, generally madefrom titanium, that is surgically implanted into the patient's jawbone. Theabutment is made of titanium, gold or porcelain and is the portion that screwsinto the implant. The restoration is the part of the implant that resembles anatural tooth. It can be made of many materials and is colored and shaped toresemble the patient's natural teeth. It is placed on top of the abutment andis a secure and permanent artificial tooth.

Dental implants aredesigned to replace one or more missing teeth without the need to rely on thepatient's surrounding teeth. They are also designed to remove the need forpartial dentures, or to provide secure support for the denture. Implants canalso be used to support a dental bridge.Because the implant fuses with the patient's jawbone, it also aids in theprevention of gum recession and jawbone loss that may result from dentures orcertain types of bridge work.

What Makes aGood Dental Implant Candidate?

The best candidatesfor dental implants are patients who are in good oral health with healthy gumtissues and jawbones. Patients who have lost teeth due to periodontal diseaseor injury would benefit from obtaining dental implants. They are more reliableand more structurally stable than dentures and bridges. They are also betterfor the patient's oral health because they do not affect or rely on anysurrounding teeth for placement or support.

Prior to anyrestorative procedure, the dentist will thoroughly examine the patient's mouth,jaw, gums and teeth to ensure that the patient is physically prepared toundergo the procedure. Subjects discussed during the initial visit with thedentist will include:

• The patient's oral health
• The patient's physical health
• Possible procedures to be considered
• The dentist's experience and training

It is importantthat the patient also prepare a list of any questions that should be asked ofthe dentist during the consultation.