For most people, dental implants are not entirely new – it is a way of restoring lost teeth. While it is uncommon, there are still a few cases of lost teeth in adults. The need for dental restoration is a bit on the high side recently. According to the statistics from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 69% of adults of ages 35 to 44 have lost not less than a tooth. And the popular causes of these losses include accidents, failed root canals, tooth decay, or gum diseases. Accidents that lead to loss of teeth might be rare, but cases of dental fractures and advanced gum decay or diseases are quite common.
One of the feasible solutions in these situations is to undergo a dental implant.
Dental Implants
We can define dental implants to be: “…posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. They are made of titanium and other materials easily accepted by the human body.”
Moving forward, implants can come in four different forms based on the peculiarity of the situation. The first type is designed to replace a single tooth; the second replace several teeth in a row; the third one replaces multiple teeth around existing ones; the fourth/last is designed to offer support to a complete set of dentures. The fourth type is more specific for individuals seeking dentures since they get more benefits from this full denture implant that are not available in traditional dentures.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Dentures, over time, has offered means of eating, talking, and appearances that seem like the natural teeth, even if there are only two or one original teeth present in the denture set. Despite these great benefits, dentures can lead to discomfort for many that use them. Just like a retainer, a denture also sits in the mouth, and there is no means of holding it firmly in place. Yes, dentures offer a good short-term solution in some cases, there are also a couple of adverse effects that come with their usage.
The fragile and infirm nature of dentures means you cannot consume some foods, and slipping dentures inhibits clear speeches. Generally, implants are more durable than dentures, because the latter need additional maintenance and/or periodic replacements. However, implants are relatively costlier, but offer a more comfortable, durable, secure alternative, with a natural appearance.
Who is eligible for an implant?
Not everyone can get dental implants. Patients with a history of severe illnesses or infections like leukemia or diabetes are not fit for implants. The same goes for tobacco users; they may not heal properly from the implant processes. For these sets of individuals, considering other alternatives is highly recommended. However, if you have been cleared by your dentist as fit for implants, and you feel comfortable undergoing one, you will find it as a worthy investment that offers impressive gains of functional and beautiful teeth.
A prerequisite for an all-on-4 implant is the total loss of all your teeth in a dental arch on the bottom or top or having several teeth with severe pains and issues. In cases where you are missing just one or two teeth, and the remaining teeth are healthy, small bridges or individual implants are the best options.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The greatest advantage of a dental implant is that it fixes many current and future dental problems at the same time. The need to replace lost or damaged teeth comes in three levels:
- To ensure that exposed gums, caused by the damaged or lost teeth, don’t lead to further decay or damage caused by the exposed gums.
- To ensure that the absence of the lost or damaged teeth does not lead to an improper bite adjustment, which could be painful or facilitate the decay or damage of the nearby tooth.
- To ensure that the patient regains full function of the teeth in the shortest possible time, so that he or she can speak, chew, and smile effortlessly.
When you consider the ability of dental implants to offer permanent solutions to these problems, you will see that it is the best option on the list.