MODERN DENTISTRY IS OUTSTANDING. Tooth decay, accidents, and injuries that would have previously left a gap in a person’s grin that they could never repair can now be corrected so that everything appears and functions as it should. Root canal therapy may be able to save such teeth in many circumstances. When this isn’t an option, dental implants can be used to fill up the gaps.
How Implants Compare to False Teeth
Dentures have been used to replace lost teeth for generations, although they do have certain drawbacks. When we chew with our own teeth, it stimulates and strengthens the jaw bone. Dentures are ineffective at giving this stimulation, which leads to jaw bone loss. As a result, the dentures may not fit properly, allowing them to slip and come out easily, leaving the gums painful.
Implants, on the other hand, are surgically implanted into the jawbone and act similarly like tooth roots. Implants significantly lower the danger of bone loss, and they won’t slip and slide about when you’re chewing or conversing. You can brush them the same way you brush your regular teeth! True, implants can be more expensive than dentures, but that’s about the only advantage dentures have.
Different Types of Implants
Different types of dentures are available, based on the patient’s needs and budget. Patients with robust, healthy jaws should choose endosteal implants. They are made of of titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jaw. After the site has healed, a second surgery is performed to insert a crown that matches the other teeth.
If the patient does not have enough healthy jaw bone to support endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants may be an option. These implants are metal frames that are placed between the jawbone and the gum tissue by an oral surgeon. Crowns are fastened to this structure with posts that protrude through the gums.
Implants and Braces?
Patients who require both orthodontic and implant therapy typically begin with braces. Implants, unlike natural teeth, do not shift once they are in place. However, in some circumstances, an implant can be placed before or during orthodontic treatment to act as an anchor, allowing the other teeth to migrate to their proper places.
Are Implants Right for You?
Millions of Americans get dental implants to fill the gaps in their smiles every year. If you’d like to learn more about this excellent modern solution to an age-old dental problem, we’re happy to answer your questions!
