Dental Implants
Dental Implants are small prosthetic posts attached to titanium screws that have been surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw. Their purpose is to take the place of the roots of natural teeth that have been lost or removed. They protrude slightly above the gum line, so that crowns or dentures may be snapped on.
The advantage of using titanium as the material for implants is that it is strong, non-toxic, and biologically compatible with the tissues of the mouth.
Implants have the strength, look and feel of natural teeth, so appearance, speaking, and eating are all as good as they would be with the original teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Aesthetics – a natural appearance
- Adjacent teeth left intact
- Implant-supported crowns or bridges that seem like your own teeth
- Support and retention for dentures, allowing you to eat and talk with confidence.
Procedure
Implant surgery is best performed by a specialist who can concentrate on learning and practicing all aspects of this advanced procedure. At Dr. Maxon Love Dental Clinic, implants are performed by a visiting implant specialist.
The first step is minor dental surgery, usually with a local anesthetic, to install titanium screws into the jawbone. The screws act like artificial tooth roots to anchor the new teeth to bone. Bone tissue grows tightly around the implants and gradually even grows right into the titanium “roots” themselves, thus forming permanent connections.
After a healing process, the implants will be used for securing artificial teeth, a bridge, or dentures.
Bone Reconstruction (Ridge Augmentation)
If the bone tissue has been greatly reduced over time (as sometimes happens when teeth are missing for years), bone grafting may be needed in advance of the implant procedure, to ensure support for the implants. Repair of soft tissues may also be necessary at the same time, for the same purpose.
A bone graft may also be needed when teeth are extracted before implant surgery.
Implants are Not for Everybody
You will need all of these:
- A strong immune system
- Good bone density
- Excellent oral hygiene habits