Dental Implant

Dentists have been replacing missing teeth with implants since the mid-1960s. Since then, dental implants have become an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional tooth replacement systems. One of the reasons implants have become so widespread is their versatility. As the technology behind implants has advanced, so has their application.

Millions of Americans have dental implants. However, you’re unlikely to realize that anyone you know has implant-supported artificial teeth – they look so natural. Implants can be used whether you are missing a single tooth, several teeth or all your teeth. While dental implants can be used as a substitute for dentures and bridges, they can also be used in conjunction with a dental plate.

How Dental Implants are Used

Dental implants can play an important role in reconstructive surgery for people who have suffered facial injuries in sports mishaps or traffic accidents but are more commonly used for everyday applications in an implant specialist’s dental office. One typical use of dental implants is to support a crown to replace a single tooth that has decayed to the extent that extraction is the only option or when a root canal has fractured.

Implants are also used to provide a secure base for fixed dentures and bridges. Just as roots support natural teeth, implants provide a firm foundation for dentures and bridges. Implant-retained dentures are ideal for people who have lost all their teeth. Implant-supported bridges can be used in cases where a few teeth or an entire arch of teeth are missing.

Another use of dental implants is to support removable dentures. This avoids the need for special adhesives to hold the dentures in place. Implants can also be used in orthodontic treatment to provide an anchor point as braces reposition crooked or misaligned teeth. Implants for orthodontics – Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) – are designed for easy removal after treatment. A further use of dental implants is to help correct facial deformities. In some cases, an implant may be used to retain a removable or fixed prosthetic to replace part of the face.

Benefits of Dental Implants

The versatility of the different uses of dental implants brings several benefits. These include:

Increasing the lifespan of replacement teeth. Whether you need a single crown, a bridge or a full set of removable dentures, implants will dramatically increase the durability of your tooth replacement, especially if you have weakened root structures. Use of a dental implant in these cases will provide a solid, permanent foundation for your artificial teeth. Even if a crown chips or breaks, the implant will remain strong and secure, which makes dental repair work far easier.

Providing an effective anchor for artificial teeth. The titanium in dental implants permanently fuses with your jawbone over several months to become part of your mouth – acting in the same way as a natural tooth root. Once this process is completed, your implant will look and feel just like a natural tooth, if not better.

Preventing bone loss in the future. Conventional bridges and dentures can result in bone weakening. If the jaw is not supporting a tooth, the bone deteriorates because it loses the stimulation it needs. Implants are unique in encouraging bone growth. As a tooth root replacement, use of a dental implant provides the same stimulation as natural tooth roots.

Maintaining facial structure. Conventional dentures attach directly to the gums, exerting pressure on the jaw that with time can weaken the structure of the mouth, alter the shape of your face and possibly shrink the jaw. The use of dental implants avoids this pressure because it provides a solid base for the dentures.

Protecting your remaining natural teeth. Dental bridges rely on teeth adjacent to the gap in order to hold replacement teeth in position, but this can damage these surrounding teeth. This situation is avoided with the use of dental implants, which do not require any support from surrounding teeth.

What Are Mini Implants and Micro Implants Used For?

About half the size of regular implants, mini dental implants are often used when an implant needs to fit into a narrow area or if a patient has lost a significant amount of jawbone, which rules out a standard implant unless a bone graft is carried out.

Mini implants can be used to:

  • Replace smaller teeth, front teeth, premolars and incisors.
  • Stabilize lower jaw dentures.

Benefits of mini dental implants include:

  • Less expensive than regular implants.
  • Quicker and less invasive procedure.
  • Faster healing.

Besides standard and mini-implants, micro implants are also available. As the name suggests, micro implants are even smaller than their mini counterparts. Micro implants are used when the space between teeth is very limited or to hold a temporary bridge in place.

Why You Might Need a Dental Implant

Cavities and gum disease claim the teeth of many people in the U.S. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that:

  • Seven in 10 Americans have lost at least one adult tooth through decay by the age of 17.
  • Almost 70 per cent of people aged 35 to 44 have lost at least one tooth.
  • On average, people in the U.S. have lost 12 teeth by the time they are 50.
  • Twenty-six per cent of those aged 65 to 74 have lost all their teeth.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), more than 35 million people in the U.S. have lost all their teeth or one row of teeth. The AAID says the number of patients opting for implants is increasing by half a million a year and the procedure has a success rate of 98 per cent.

Choosing an Implant Dentist

The varied uses of dental implants and their advantages over traditional tooth replacement systems has made them the treatment of choice for many people who have lost teeth. Implants can last a lifetime, so it pays to choose your implant dentist or prosthodontist wisely. Implants inserted by surgically qualified implant specialists, such as Dr. Christopher Sasik, have a higher success rate than implant procedures carried out by general dentists.

Contact Metropolitan Prosthodontics today to benefit from experienced and qualified dental care.