Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial dental roots that are used to replace missing teeth. It's a screw-like metal device that's surgically affixed to the jaw, just below the gum line, and on which artificial teeth can be put. Osseointegration is the process through which metal implants become attached to the bone (the bone fuses to the metal).
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
- Enhancement of appearance
- Dental implants are made of titanium and are bonded to the bone, giving them the appearance and feel of natural teeth.
- Improved communication
- Dental implants, as opposed to dentures, allow you to communicate with confidence. Teeth might slip within the mouth with ill-fitting dentures, making it difficult to talk.
- Better chewing
- Chewing and eating are comfortable and natural with dental implants because they operate similarly to natural teeth.
- Increased self-confidence
- A missing tooth can make you feel self-conscious. Dental implants, on the other hand, can raise it and restore your smile.
- Long-term outcomes
How It’s done?
The full dental operation would be as follows, with slight variations depending on the patient and the situation:
- Initial Examination: This involves X-rays, impressions, and tooth colour matching to make your implant look as natural as possible. The condition of the jawbone is also determined during this examination.
- Extracting the injured tooth: The damaged/decayed tooth must be extracted before an implant may be placed.
- Examination of the bone graft: Your jaw and surrounding bone must be robust. As a result, the dentist must determine whether a bone graft is necessary to ensure that the jaw can support the dental implant. Bone grafting is performed if necessary, and the bone is allowed to cure before the implant is inserted.
- Attaching the abutment (base of the crown): An abutment is a metal component that acts as a base for the crown on a dental implant. It serves as a connection, with one end attached to the jawbone and the other end fixed to the crown. After the patient has recovered, the dentist will perform one more minor surgical procedure to attach the abutment to the implant. This process takes a few weeks to complete.
Depending on the recovery process, the treatment could take anywhere from 3-6 months. To ensure healthy teeth and gums, it is critical to maintain oral hygiene during the entire treatment process.
