Dental implant surgery is a common dental procedure intended to replace a natural tooth or teeth. With dental implants, tooth roots are replaced with metal screw-like posts, while missing or damaged teeth are replaced with artificial crowns that function and look just like real ones.
Bridges and dentures can frequently be effective solutions, but sometimes the prosthetics do not fit well or a lack of natural teeth don’t allow using bridges for tooth replacement. Dental implants are a great alternative to bridges or dentures.
The biggest benefit of dental implants is solid and reliable support for your mouth. Implants won’t cause bone damage, slip, or make noises, like dentures or fixed bridges might. In addition, materials used for dental implants can’t decay over time – in that way, they are even better than our own natural teeth.
Dental implants are surgically implanted in the jawbone, where they function as roots of missing teeth. The most common material used for the surgery is titanium, as it fuses tightly with the bone. The entire procedure takes several visits to the dentist and possibly even oral surgeon. Even though the entire process of getting dental implants can take quite some time, the end result is extremely comfortable and has a completely natural look and functionality.
The first step in finding if you’re a good candidate for dental implants is your oral surgeon or dentist will do a complete evaluation of your oral health. This evaluation includes making teeth models and X-rays to confirm if your future implants will match well with your natural teeth. Next, the dentist will evaluate the condition of your jawbone. Generally, you may be a good candidate for a dental implant surgery if you:
- Have one or several missing teeth
- Have enough bone to secure the implants or get a bone graft
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Don’t have health conditions that might affect bone healing
- Are willing to commit several months to the full process
Again, even though the process can take several months, the end result is well worth it and a great alternative to dentures or a bridge. Dental implant surgery is one of the most reliable long-term solutions for artificial replacement teeth.
ASBA has dental plans that provide coverage for implants – something that many other plans don’t. That’s in addition to thousands of in-network providers and coverage on everything from routine checkups and procedures. Now that’s a reason to smile! Learn More Here.
Source: https://www.sinickfamilydental.com/blog/implants-vs-dentures-benefits-getting-dental-implant/11776
