A Profile of the Tooth Implant

By Nia Lawrence


Dental implants are considered a prime procedure when it comes to replacing lost teeth. When people lose their teeth due to an accident or decay, getting implants are usually the next step they take. Implants are root devices that are used to support restorations for a tooth or group of teeth. They are natural-looking and don't affect the surrounding teeth and, in addition, are stable and protect a person form loss of jawbone. A patient who is considering implants may need to undergo a bone graft procedure should they be found to be unfit for it. Otherwise, anyone with health gums and enough bone to support the implant are qualified to do so. Surgery may also be done immediately after tooth extraction, two weeks to three months after extraction, or after more than three months.

While implants may be the perfect solution to tooth loss, it is not something everybody can do. Heavy smokers, people suffering from chronic disorders like diabetes or heart disease, and patients who take oral biphosphonates for certain forms of breast cancer and osteoporosis need to be evaluated first for potential risks and contraindications. People who've also undergone radiation therapy to the head or neck are also not qualified for it was well. Other reasons for disqualifying a person from getting implants are if they suffer from bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching) because the very movement itself is detrimental to implants, especially when the bone is healing.

Most dental implants today are root-form endosseous, which means they appear similar to an actual tooth root placed within the bone. This is the reason why they offer long-term comfort, because they fuse with bone and feel natural. The only difference will lie with chewing, which will feel different because they lack periodontal ligament. Typically, implants contain a titanium screw and available in 4 grades, depending on the amount of carbon and iron contained. Dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists are the only ones qualified to perform the procedure, and they start this off by removing your tooth and then placing an anchor and post in your jawbone. As the jawbone heals between 6-12 weeks, it anchors securely onto the implanted metal post, which, in turn, anchors securely to the jaw.

As mentioned, implants are the perfect teeth replacement, but you have to qualify for it to be able to have it done. If you are a heavy smoker, or afflicted with chronic disorders like heart disease or type II diabetes or suffering from bruxism, these conditions may make your prognosis weak. Bruxism, for one, which is commonly known as teeth grinding or clenching, is particularly detrimental to implants when the bone is healing because the movement can wear them down. It is also not recommended for patients who are taking medications like oral biphosphonates for certain types of breast cancer and osteoporosis. It is not recommended as well for patients who've had radiation therapy to the head or neck. If you fall under any of these categories, you will need to be fully evaluated first by your dentist before going ahead with it.

Doing implants offers many advantages, the main one being improving a person's appearance and self-esteem. Other advantages include improved speech, enhanced comfort, easier chewing of food, and improved oral hygiene. Unlike dentures, implants can last a lifetime with proper care and don't need to be removed under any circumstances. They can also be covered under certain terms and conditions under your dental insurance depending on the cause of tooth loss, so if you're considering them, make sure you check with your dental insurance provider.




About the Author: