subject: Are Dental Implants The Right Choice? [print this page] Dental implants are titanium screw-like bits that function as a tooths root once implanted in the upper or lower jaw. The implanted titanium bit serves as root or anchor to replacement teeth. If done properly, the jaw bone accepts the implant and osseointegrates with it, making the replacement tooth or teeth appear and function naturally.
The dental implantation procedure has steadily been gaining popularity over the use of dentures to replace teeth. Although significantly more expensive than getting dentures, getting dental implants have dramatically better results, and you never have to worry about the possibility of a set of fake teeth jumping out of your mouth at the most inopportune moments.
Moreover, this procedure takes some time to happen. A reputable implant dentist would initially require a CT scan in order to identify vital structures near the jaw like the inferior alveolar nerve or the sinus, as well as to make out the shape and measurements of the bone to allow dentists to precisely place the implants. After the CT scan, the hole for the titanium root is carefully drilled and the root is finally attached. A variable amount of time is passed to allow for osseointegration. After the implant has osseointerated, a crown or a replacement tooth is then attached to it.
Dental implants have a 75-95% success rate and failures have been attributed to lack of skill on the side of the practitioner, weak bone structure and poor oral hygiene. A failed dental implant means that the titanium implant has failed to osseointegrate. A typical Las Vegas implant dentist, for example, given the available technology today, would have almost zero percent failure rates in terms of skill.
Moreover, a typical Las Vegas implant dentist would bank on the how precise his practices are. Thus, if you are a habitual smoker and/or you have poor oral hygiene, it is best to ask first about improving the present condition of your teeth before getting an implant. Your implant dentist should be able to walk you through the health requisites to assure successful osseointegration.
Lastly, once all this is taken into consideration, you must consider how you are going to pay for your implants. A typical Las Vegas implant dentist does not charge cheap since dental implantation is a very meticulous procedure.
