Many people have lost one or more teeth and would like another option besides dentures or a bridge, and one such option is getting dental implants. Dental implants are made of metal posts with a crown placed on top, which is surgically implanted into a patient’s jaw to replace one or more teeth.
How Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures?
Dental implants actually fuse to a patient’s jawbone, which makes them much stronger and more stable than dentures. They don’t slip or move around in a person’s mouth, making it easier to eat or talk. They feel much more like real teeth, are more comfortable and also look more like real teeth. Plus, there is no reason to alter the teeth around a dental implant like there is for a bridge or dentures.
Types of Dental Implants Approved for Implanting
The American Dental Association has approved two kinds of implants for replacing missing or lost teeth. These include endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal are surgically implanted into the jaw, while subperiosteal involve a metal frame fitted onto the jawbone below the gum tissue. Both have posts attached that get the crowns put on to finish the job.
Who Can Get Implants to Replace Missing Teeth?
To get implants, a patient must be evaluated by the dentist and found to have healthy and strong gums, as well as enough jawbone to hold the dental implants. The process of getting implants can take several months since the jawbone must fuse to the implants and the area has to heal before the dentist can add the crown to finish the job.
Since dental implants are expensive, you should practice good oral hygiene so they will last for many years, including brushing, flossing, not chewing on hard things like ice that can break the implant, and seeing your dentist twice a year for a checkup. For more information visit Cascadesdental.com. You can connect with them on Facebook for further updates!
