Friday, June 20, 2008
What are Dental Implants?
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth.
A natural tooth consists of a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the part hidden under the gum, within the jawbone). It is the root that actually holds the natural tooth in place. Dental implants often provide a more advanced replacement for the missing tooth than a traditional bridge, and preserves adjacent teeth.
Dental implants are small metal screws designed specifically to replace your natural tooth root. Manufactured from titanium, dental implants provide a highly biocompatible surface, encouraging bone to attach to the implant during the healing process to ensure long-term result.
Dental implants do not require the adjacent teeth to be modified. They also create stimulation to the underlying bone.
Restoration with all-ceramic components (crown and abutment) can result in a beautiful, natural-looking, translucent tooth, just like the tooth being replaced!
Key attributes:
Adjacent teeth remain intact- no grinding required
Stimulation restored to underlying bone, bone integrity is preserved
Help maintain long-term, esthetic results
Titanium is strong and naturally accepted by the body
Drawbacks:
Slightly higher cost than bridge
Key attributes:
Adjacent teeth remain intact- no grinding required
Stimulation restored to underlying bone, bone integrity is preserved
Help maintain long-term, esthetic results
Titanium is strong and naturally accepted by the body
Drawbacks:
Slightly higher cost than bridge
When a person is missing a tooth, the dentist must decide how to re-create the crown portion, and he must choose the best method to hold it in place.A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a replacement tooth in place in a spot where a tooth is missing. Dental implants can also be used to secure loose teeth in place by being installed alongside the loose teeth and anchoring to them with splinted crowns. This will allow the loose teeth to function better and last longer in the mouth.
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a replacement tooth in place in a spot where a tooth is missing. Dental implants can also be used to secure loose teeth in place by being installed alongside the loose teeth and anchoring to them with splinted crowns. This will allow the loose teeth to function better and last longer in the mouth.
Dental implants are made of various biomaterials. There are several types of dental implants; the most widely accepted and successful is the osseointegrated implant, based on the discovery by Swedish Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark that titanium can be successfully fused into bone when osteoblasts grow on and into the rough surface of the implanted titanium. This forms a structural and functional connection between the living bone and the implant.
Why do I need dentals implants?
When natural teeth are removed, you will face many problems such as the remaining teeth shift, rotate and become crooked. Spaces and gaps between teeth may cause embarrassment, problems with speech, lack of self-esteem and make the difficult to chew food properly. Dental implants can restore missing teeth, thereby eliminating these potential problems. People who have teeth replaced with dental implants report better ability to chew food and eat properly, renewed confidence while speaking, and better self-esteem.
Moreover, Missing teeth are also recognized associated with old age and can make you look older than you are. Replacing missing teeth can dramatically improve your smile and the shape of your face. This greatly enhances both your dental health and your personality.
When natural teeth are removed, you will face many problems such as the remaining teeth shift, rotate and become crooked. Spaces and gaps between teeth may cause embarrassment, problems with speech, lack of self-esteem and make the difficult to chew food properly. Dental implants can restore missing teeth, thereby eliminating these potential problems. People who have teeth replaced with dental implants report better ability to chew food and eat properly, renewed confidence while speaking, and better self-esteem.
Moreover, Missing teeth are also recognized associated with old age and can make you look older than you are. Replacing missing teeth can dramatically improve your smile and the shape of your face. This greatly enhances both your dental health and your personality.
Labels: dental implants
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