subject: The Importance of Dental Implants [print this page] The Importance of Dental Implants The Importance of Dental Implants
Dental implants are an effective and practical replacement for natural teeth that have been lost due to gum disease, root canal failure, accident or congenital defects. Dental implants are created uniquelyfor each individual patients, they are generally made of a screw or cylinder shaped component, they are an important part of cosmetic dentistry treatment, as well as being reliable and comfortable they look and function identical to natural teeth, and are designed to be strong and sturdy.
The implant is placed in a socket which is prepared to an exact specification so it can be easily positioned in the gum to form part of the intended tooth replacement. An implant can be screwed into position if it has been designed with a screw thread or tapped into place, positioning it as close as possible to the surrounding bone, this will create stability which over time is steadily enhanced by growth of bone over the implant surface - a term called osseointegration.
To provide support, the dental implants have an internal screw thread or post space that allows a number of components to be fitted. Once fitted, these components or abutments provide the foundation for crowns, implanted-supported bridges or dentures. Placement of the dental implants into the mouth can take approximately 30-45 minutes per implant, follow up procedures can take up to an hour. The healing process can last between 3 to 9 months and primarily depends on the personal health of the patient and the quality of the bone in which the dental implants are attached.
Dental implants are durable instruments and can be relied upon to function reliably for years if they are maintained correctly. Dental implants are sturdy and will not slip out of the patients mouth when eating hard foods such as apples.
A dentist will consider different factors when advising patients on implants such as the type of implants, the method they will use to best fit them, how many implants are required as well as the health and quality of the patients mouth. Implants generally have a high success rate if good quality post-surgery care is administered by the dentist.
