If you've lost a tooth, whether due to an accident, disease or just old age, it can be an unsightly and embarrassing feature of your smile. If you're missing teeth, you may find yourself too embarrassed to talk or even smile at all. In addition, lost teeth can lead to other health problems if, for instance, they affect the way you eat. Fortunately, there are many options available to restore a lost tooth. One in particular is the dental implant. A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth that's used to completely replace an irreparably damaged or lost tooth.
A dental implant is an alternative to other dental restorative procedures, such as bridges or dentures, though it can also be used to support these procedures. For example, an implant may be used as an anchor for a bridge replacing several missing teeth in a row, increasing the sturdiness of the bridge. The dental implant is becoming more and more common, but there's no guarantee that you'll qualify for the procedure - you'll have to discuss all the available options with your dentist.
The Steps of a Dental Implant Procedure
The installation of a dental implant is a multi-step procedure that takes place over a couple of months. First, a hole is drilled where the dental implant will be place, and a titanium screw is inserted there - this will hold the dental implant in place. Next, a protective cover is placed on the area while the gum begins to heal and implant secures itself in the gum. Months after that, a temporary crown is placed, which allows the patient's gums to heal around the crown and obtain the proper shape. Eventually, the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent one, and the procedure is finished.
Success Rate
If you want to be sure that your old smile is restored and looking natural as ever, a dental implant is your best bet. The success rate for the procedure is very high - 90% for dental implants in the upper jaw, and 95% for those in the lower.
After a Dental Implant
Another distinct advantage of a dental implant is that it cannot succumb to any sort of cavity. This doesn't mean that you can simply ignore the tooth in your daily hygiene regimen, though. Without proper care, you run the risk of peri-implantitis, which not unlike severe gum disease that develops around normal teeth.
