Dental implants can transform the look of your smile, while restoring function that would otherwise be lost, even with dentures. But what are dental implants and what benefits do they bring to the patient?
Dental implants come in a few different forms, with variations to suit different patterns of tooth loss. Implants offer a permanent alternative to dentures and many find them more natural and convenient because when they’re properly implanted, they’re just like natural teeth and there’s little risk of them coming loose.
All dental implants feature some sort of anchor, which is implanted into the bone of the jaw. A bone graft, comprised of ground-up bits of bone, are sprinkled around the implant to help jump-start the healing process. After a number of weeks, the bone will grow around the implant, securing it permanently in the patient’s jaw.
The timeframe for the bone growth process varies depending upon how recently the tooth was pulled or lost. A tooth that was just recently pulled will leave a sizable empty socket, which takes longer to fill in, while the socket for a tooth that was lost or pulled many months ago will be completely filled in with bone. This can impact the patient’s timeframe for getting dental implants.
Once the implant has been placed into the individual’s jaw, the second part of the implant — the actual tooth, is affixed. Some dental implants feature a post, while others have a slightly different connection involving a little nub that fits into a socket of sorts.
Nobleton dental implant patients will enjoy many different benefits. The primary benefit is the natural feel of the implants, which look, feel and perform just like the patient’s natural teeth.
There’s no need to use adhesives, nor do you need to worry about the dental implant falling out if you bite into an apple. There is no special maintenance required aside from regular brushing, flossing and cleanings.
Dental implants can also offer a good option to patients who can benefit from bridgework or partial dentures, but don’t have enough natural teeth to serve as anchor points for the bridge or dentures. Your dentist can place implants in strategic location so as to hold your dentures or bridgework securely in place. This provides the patient with a more secure hold when compared to the traditional alternative — denture adhesives.
There are a few different styles of dental implants. Nobleton patients can consult with a dentist specializing in dental implants to determine which variety is best suited to their unique needs and requirements.
You can use dental implants to replace a single missing tooth or an entire mouth’s worth of teeth, which makes them very versatile. Each patient is unique, of course, so it’s important to get a consultation with a local dentist specializing in dental implants to determine which option is best suited to your unique needs.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Anchor Dental Care*