Dental Implants
The first question that pops into mind would be, “what are dental implants?” Simply put, dental implants are the most effective remedy for missing teeth—long term. Although false teeth and bridges are also solutions to missing teeth, they can tend to slip and shift inside the mouth. With dental implants, it is a more permanent situation because metal posts are mounted on the jawbone surgically. This then forms the artificial roots so that replacement teeth can be mounted on top of these posts and have a sturdy base.
Benefits of a Dental Implant
When having a bridge made, the neighboring teeth
are used as anchors and they need to be ground down or “prepared” so that the bridge can be put in place. If these neighboring teeth are in good condition, you are removing good tooth structure. If you opt for dentures, often times people complain of pain due to poor ridges and sore spots. Wearing dentures can be very uncomfortable, requiring periodic adjustment. On the other hand, a dental implant does not have all these problems and can last a lifetime. It does not destroy neighboring teeth, and is rarely uncomfortable.
Who Can Get an Implant?
Anybody with a missing tooth or teeth can opt for an implant, except for young people because their jaws are still growing. Further, the person must have adequate bone density in the jaw to support the surgically implanted post, and must also have healthy gums. Let’s just say that you don’t have healthy gums and jawbone. There are ways and procedures to rebuild bone and make your gums healthy; that is why it is a must for you to visit with your dentist on a regular basis.