Dental Implants: Restoring Function and Aesthetics
Dental implants are popular alternatives to removable dentures and bridges, delivering patients restored function and aesthetics. A dental implant is a type of metal or ceramic fixture surgically inserted into the upper or lower jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to support dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. When a patient has adequate healthy bone in the jaw to support an implant, the results can be functional, comfortable, and as natural looking as the patient’s original teeth.
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implant surgery is a procedure in which a metal, screwlike post is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace a damaged or missing tooth. This outpatient treatment is performed in stages, with periods of healing in between procedures. From start to finish, the process can take several months and generally includes:
- Removal of the damaged tooth
- Preparation of the jawbone, including grafting if necessary
- Placement of the dental implant into the jawbone
- Bone growth and healing
- Placement of the abutment and artificial tooth
According to the Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, dental implants are a reliable treatment for missing teeth with a success rate of 97 percent at 10 years and 75 percent at 20 years.
Types of Dental Implants
The specifics of the procedure will depend on the type of dental implant chosen. The main types of dental implants include endosteal and subperiosteal implants. The biggest difference between them is how they’re attached to the jawbone.
1. Endosteal
Endosteal dental implants are the most common type of implant. It is shaped like a small cylinder, screw, or blade, and is inserted directly into the jawbone where it supports one or more replacement teeth. These are commonly recommended to patients who have existing bridges or dentures.
2. Subperiosteal
Subperiosteal dental implants are placed on or above the jawbone. During this procedure, a metal post is inserted under and through the gum which then supports a replacement tooth. Subperiosteal implants are most commonly recommended to patients who cannot wear regular dentures or do not have enough healthy bone for an endosteal implant.
Benefits of Dental Implants
While dental implants are not right for every patient, they do offer many advantages over traditional restoration options, such as removable dentures and bridges. They are considered the gold standard for treating missing teeth due to their durability. Dental implants can also help prevent bone loss that occurs after losing a tooth.
Dental implants provide patients with a natural look and feel. They help keep adjacent teeth stable and can restore the cosmetic appearances of your face, such as sagging skin, sunken appearance, and collapsed cheeks which can develop due to jawbone loss after losing a tooth.
Restore Your Smile Today
At Vero Elite Dentistry, our experienced periodontist can help you restore your dental function and smile with titanium implants placed with precision. To learn more, contact Vero Elite Dentistry at 772.617.2869.