A Closer Look at Dental Implants

Tooth loss caused by decay, gum disease, trauma, and other factors not only creates gaps in a smile, but it also can cause surrounding teeth to shift and create additional dental issues. A natural-looking, long-term solution for tooth loss is a dental implant. Dental implants are surgically implanted in the jaw to act as artificial tooth roots. Once the implant grafts to a patient’s jaw, it is capped with a replacement tooth, often a porcelain crown, which matches the surrounding teeth. Dental implants allow patients to enjoy a tooth restoration that restore the beauty of their smiles.

The Dental Implant Procedure

In most cases, the procedure for dental implants requires three visits to the dentist’s office over several months. During the first visit, the cosmetic dentist examines the patient’s gums and jaw to determine if he/she is a good candidate for a dental implant. During the next visit, the implant dentist will surgically implant the artificial roots (implant posts). At this time, a temporary replacement tooth will be attached to the post.

Over the next few months, the post will become grafted into the patient's jaw. (This process is referred to as osseointegration.) Once the root has grafted and the jaw has healed, the patient will return to the dentist to have the long-term abutment attached. Depending on the patient's needs, this abutment may be a dental crown, a bridge, or long-term dentures. The dental implants and the restoration tooth will not only fill the gap in the patient's smile, but will also restore function.

Implants vs. Dentures

Dentures are less expensive than dental implants, but many patients prefer the comfort, convenience, and permanence of dental implants. Typical dentures, which tend to be affixed to the jaw using adhesive gels or metal clips, have been known to cause discomfort and gum irritation. Some patients have issues with the fact that dentures must be removed and cleaned at night. Also patients find that they may not be able to bite or chew certain foods while wearing their dentures. Another complaint is that even with proper daily cleaning, dentures may still become discolored or carry odors. Dental implants, on the other hand, are a semi-permanent solution to missing teeth and only require a good dental hygiene routine. With proper care, implants can restore beauty and function to a patient's smile for life.