Dental implants represent a revolutionary advancement in dental technology, offering long-term solutions for those suffering from tooth loss. Unlike more traditional treatments such as dentures or bridges, dental implants provide a more durable and functional option.

What Are Dental Implants?

Types of Dental Implants

1. Endosteal Implants: The most common type, these implants are placed directly into the jawbone. Once the surrounding gum tissue has healed, a second surgery is needed to connect a post to the original implant, followed by attaching an artificial tooth (or teeth) to the post individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture.
2. Subperiosteal Implants: These implants consist of a metal frame fitted onto the jawbone just the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone. Posts, attached to the frame, protrude through the gums for mounting of the artificial teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

1. Durability: Implants are very durable and can last many years; with proper care, they can last a lifetime.
2. Improved Oral Health: Unlike a tooth-supported bridge, dental implants do not require reducing other teeth. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your natural teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
3. Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures and the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
4. Improved Appearance and Comfort: Because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent and feel like your own teeth.
5. Easier Eating: Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
6. Speech Improvement: With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

The Process of Getting Dental Implants

1. Initial Consultation: Includes exams and X-rays to determine if you are a good candidate for implants.
2. Implant Placement: A surgical procedure where the implant is placed into the jawbone. This is usually followed by a period of healing called osseointegration, which can take several months.
3. Abutment Placement: Once the implant has bonded with the jawbone, a small connector post, called an abutment, is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth.
4. Custom Tooth Creation: An impression of your teeth is taken, and a new tooth, called a crown, is created based on this model. The crown is then attached to the abutment.