Implant dentistry is a treatment option that can provide a permanent solution for tooth loss. By inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, an artificial dental root is created and a new prosthetic tooth can be attached to it. This type of treatment offers several benefits, such as improved function and aesthetics, and also helps to prevent bone loss in the jaw. Let’s take a closer look at how implant dentistry works and how it can benefit patients.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Once the post is inserted, it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue over time, creating a secure foundation for a crown or bridge to be attached to.
There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants. Endosteal implants are placed directly into the jawbone while subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone but beneath the gum tissue. Each type has its own advantages, so your dentist can help you decide which one is right for you.
How Long Does Implant Dentistry Take?
The length of time required for implant dentistry will vary depending on factors such as the number of teeth being replaced and your overall oral health. Generally speaking, implant placement takes between 45 minutes and two hours per tooth; however, this may be longer if multiple teeth need to be replaced or if there are complications during surgery. Once your implant has been placed, it will need time to heal before the prosthetic tooth can be attached—this process usually takes several weeks or months, depending on your healing rate.
7 Benefits of Implant Dentistry
1] Helps Prevent Bone Loss
As previously mentioned, one of the major advantages of dental implants is that they help prevent bone loss in the jaw by providing stimulation to keep it healthy and strong. Without stimulation from regular chewing action or biting force, bones in your jaw can become weakened over time due to lost density in areas where teeth used to be located.
2] Restores Bite Strength
Missing teeth can cause problems with bite strength because there isn’t enough support in certain areas; this means food won’t break down properly when you chew it and could lead to digestive issues or other health problems down the line. With dental implants, bite strength is restored because they provide extra support in areas where teeth have been lost or extracted.
3] Maintains The Shape Of Your Face
Tooth loss affects more than just your oral health; it also affects your facial structure by causing sagging skin around your mouth and cheeks due to lack of support from missing teeth roots. Dental implants act as anchors for prosthetic teeth which provide extra stability and therefore help maintain facial structure.
4] Won’t Develop Cavities
Unlike natural teeth which can develop cavities due to poor hygiene practices, dental implants cannot get cavities because they don’t contain any living tissue. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about decay affecting them like you would with natural teeth.
5] Provides Support For Adjacent Teeth
When one or more adjacent natural teeth are missing, they don’t provide enough support for remaining healthy natural teeth. This can lead to further tooth loss over time as those adjacent healthy natural teeth begin shifting out of place without proper support. Dental implants fill gaps caused by missing adjacent natural teeth which prevent further shifting from occurring.
6] Permanent Tooth Loss Solution
One major advantage of dental implants over other tooth replacement options such as bridges or dentures is that they offer a permanent solution for missing teeth. Unlike bridges which must eventually be replaced due to wear and tear, dental implants remain firmly rooted in place until removed by a professional dentist.
7] Easy To Maintain
Dental implants require minimal maintenance; all that needs doing is brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once per day, just like normal healthy natural teeth! It’s also important that regular checkups take place every six months (or more often if advised ) so any issues with your implant(s) can be addressed quickly before becoming serious problems.
Conclusion
Implant dentistry provides an innovative solution for replacing missing teeth – one that offers both aesthetic improvements as well as improved function while helping prevent bone loss in your jaw too! If you’re considering getting an implant, make sure you discuss all options available with your dentist first so that together you can determine what’s best for your individual situation! In most cases though, implant dentistry offers numerous life-changing benefits worth exploring further!
