A dental implant helps in improving your oral health. In this process an implant is surgically placed in an opening in the jawbone.
A person may need an implant for a number of reasons including:
– Tooth Injury
– Tooth decay
– Gum diseases
– Congenital defects
– Root canal failure
How It Works:
The process consists of:
–The Implant– It is usually made of titanium and is placed in the upper or lower jawbone.
–The Abutment– It can be made of titanium, gold or porcelain and is attached to the implant with a screw. The abutment and connects the implant to the crown.
–The crown– This part looks like the tooth and is made of metal, porcelain or porcelain fused to a metal alloy. The crown is either screwed or cemented on the abutment.
Procedure
The dental implant procedure consists of the following steps:
–Consultation– The first step involves detailed discussion with the dentist followed by a dental examination. The condition of the bone tissue is checked by doing an X-Ray of the jaw. Patients with strong bone density are considered good candidates of this procedure as it allows good support for the implant.
–Implant Placement– In the next step, the implant is attached to the jawbone. The surgeon places either a temporary cover screw or healing cap in place. It helps in keeping the implant clean till the abutment is attached.
–Dental Crown Placement– This step is called implant restoration. When the titanium implant permanently fuses into the jaw bone, a dental crown is fixed to the top of the implant.
After the implant, you will have to make a few follow-up visits to the specialist to check its functionality.
Advantages:
There are several advantages to dental implants, including:
–Convenience– Dental implants are convenient and pain-free. Traditional process used to take 6 to 18 months to completely heal. The new technique not only takes less time but also offers a lot of convenience.
–Durable– Implants are very durable and with proper care they will last many years.
–Good Oral health– This process improves your overall oral health as no nearby teeth is altered to support the implant.
–Improved comfort and self-esteem– Dental implants are permanent and comfortable. They save you from the embarrassment which comes with a broken or damaged tooth.
Dental implants can be used to replace one or two missing teeth or an entire set of upper or lower teeth.
