Tooth replacement has become fairly common today. In fact, you’re in good company if you are missing a tooth or two. Almost 75% of adults in the UK are without their full set of natural teeth and 6% have none left at all. So, there are several options to replace your non-restorable or missing teeth and dental implants are one of the most effective options for people with serious tooth problems.
Dental implants provide you with artificial teeth that are as comfortable, as functional and natural-looking as your original teeth. In addition to this, they are gaining so much popularity because they are permanent.
What Are Dental Implants Exactly?
A dental implant consists of a body that is essentially a small screw made of titanium or a titanium alloy, an abutment and a custom-made dental crown. The body of the implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. It serves to hold the crown in place. The abutment is attached to the implant body and extends through the gums to support the crown. The crown is the only part of the implant system that is visible though.
Types of Dental Implants
As well as the standard type, dental implants come in different types for special cases. They are as follows:
Zygomatic Implants
These are for those with severe bone deficiencies where the implant anchors into the cheekbones.
All on 4 Implants
In this type, only four implants are placed to anchor a full-arch bridge in place.
Mini or short Implants
These are shorter versions of the standard implants, typically used where there is a bone deficiency.
When And Why Should A Person Go For Dental Implants?
When a person loses a tooth or two due to a poor oral health or accident, it may result in problems like rapid bone loss, changes in chewing patterns or sometimes defective speech. This causes a lot of discomfort. In such cases, dental implants are one of the best options.
Now, unlike dentures that sit on the top of the gum tissue, dental implants are inserted into the jawbone. As a result, they help in the simulation of the jawbone and prevent bone damage by filling in missing natural tooth roots. Also, since the implants are generally made up of titanium, they are quite resistant to wear and tear. Moreover, they look and function just like your natural teeth and most importantly are permanent.
Steps Involved In Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery involves multiple procedures and it can take as long as a year to complete. This is because it requires you to completely heal from each procedure before you move on to the next one.
The following are the steps expected to involve in the dental implant surgery:
1. Examination By Your Dentist
Before carrying out the implant procedure, your private dentist will need to examine your current oral condition thoroughly. For example, he/she will check for bone deficiency first. If there isn’t sufficient bone to support the implant, you will need a bone graft as well. Also, if you need the implants into the upper jaw, your dentist will need to build up the bone around the sinuses or perform a sinus lift before the implant surgery. You also need to have your blood sugar levels in control.
2. Bone Grafting
As mentioned above, if you don’t have sufficient bone to support the implant, you will need a bone graft. In a bone grafting procedure, generally, a bone is harvested from a different part of your body and added where it’s needed.
3. Inserting The Implant
In this procedure, the dentist drills into your jawbone and inserts the implant deep into the bone. This implant serves as the anchor just like your natural tooth root. Once the implantation is done, you will need some time to heal as the bone grows around the new implant.
4. Fixing The Abutment
Once the implant body has been inserted, you will need about two to three months of healing time. This time is for enough bone to grow around the implant to stabilise it. Once this has happened, your dentist will add the abutment that acts as the connection between the implant and the crown.
5. Putting The Crown In Place
After the addition of abutment, you will need about five weeks for your gums to heal. Then, in the final step, your dentist puts the custom-made crown into its place. A crown is prepared by making moulds or taking digital impressions of your existing teeth and jaw to get a perfect fit.
Thus, here we have understood what dental implants are and how they work. We have also established that they are indeed the better option when compared to traditional dentures or bridges. Moreover, taking care of dental implants is just like taking care of your regular teeth. You just need to brush, floss and go for a regular dental hygiene routine twice a year, that’s all.
Dental Implants have an approximate success rate of 98%.
How We At Super Smile Dental Can Help?
We are one of the most reliable dental practices in Cardiff when it comes to dental implants. We use the most advanced equipment and technology to treat our patients. If you too need teeth replacement and want teeth that perfectly match your existing teeth and look as natural as possible, contact us to schedule a visit.
As well as offering a very reliable and cost-effective dental implant treatments, our expertise also includes cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, teeth whitening and more.