Tooth Root Substitutes
When people lose permanent teeth due to accident,
injury, disease or extraction, dental implants can be a secure, functional
replacement option.
They're superior to many other choices because they actually restore
comfort and appearance, yet remain functional for the long run. What's
more, they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, thus maintaining
the integrity of your overall dental structures. Since they are permanently,
surgically anchored in the jawbone, dental implants' stability and permanence
restore your ability to speak and eat normally, supply support to facial
musculature, and eliminate the inconveniences and discomforts of ill-fitting
prostheses. And after nearly 35 years of use, they have a 90-95% proven
success rate in appropriately chosen cases.
So what's a dental implant anyhow?
It's simply a small titanium post, inserted surgically into the jawbone
below the gum surface at the location of
the missing tooth. As the bone bonds to the post, it forms a secure
foundation onto which your restoration, or artificial teeth, are
then attached and
shaped to match your existing teeth. The number of teeth you're missing
will determine the best kind of restoration for your case: one or
two missing teeth indicates a simple crown restoration; two or more missing
teeth require permanent fixed bridgework; a complete replacement
set
of upper or lower teeth requires choosing between a removable vs.
a fixed prosthesis, which in turn determines how many dental implants per jaw
are required.
Limiting factors may include poor general health; inadequate bone
structure; diseased gums; chronic health problems such as clenching,
bruxism,
or systemic diseases; and unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol
consumption.
Implant location also impacts their success: lower front jaw implants
may be up to 95% successful, while side or rear placements only 90%
successful.
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