Teeth play a very important role in our day-to-day life. They are a very distinctive feature on our face. Well-set teeth give a good impression. Despite our daily oral-care routine, many of us suffer from tooth decay, gum disease, and even missing teeth. In the past, dentures and bridges were used to fill the spaces left by missing teeth. Now the latest treatment is dental implants.
How Is an Implant Put In?
Dental implants are metal components that act as a root for the tooth. They are embedded in the gums. Later, a crown will be placed on the metal components. Titanium is usually used for the artificial root structure.
The first step in this treatment is to identify the particular procedure that’s most appropriate for your particular problem. Then a team of experts in oral dentistry gives you a thorough explanation of the treatment. The next step is to find the right titanium implant for your teeth. The implant is embedded into the empty socket. As the bone in the jaw heals, it wraps around the metal root to hold it more securely in place. Altogether, it takes around 6 to 12 weeks to heal properly.
Once it’s healed, the dentist adds a connector post, called an abutment. He or she then attaches the new tooth. A dentist takes an impression of the tooth. With that impression, a new tooth is modelled. That is called the crown. The crown is then placed on the abutment. Dentists generally make sure that the crown matches the other teeth. This gives the smile a more natural feel and look.
Advantages
We can derive many benefits from this procedure.
- Durability: Since these implants fuse with the bone, the look and feel is similar to having your own teeth. It becomes a permanent solution. The implants last a long time with proper care.
- Convenience: Since they are embedded, they don’t have the hassle of always checking it.
- Improved Appearance and Self-Esteem: They bring back your smile.
- Improved Oral Health: Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene
- Easier Eating: We can have our favorite foods without any pain and discomfort.
- Improved Speech: Poor-fitting dentures can slip within the mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
Success Rate
Success rates of dental implants depend upon their placement. Overall, they have a very high success rate of 98%. With proper oral hygiene and care, dental implants last longer.
Eligibility
This treatment is not suggested for everyone. Chronic smokers and drinkers are eliminated from this treatment. Heart patients, diabetics, and those who have undertaken radiation therapy on their head or neck are also not considered. The main reason is that we need to have healthy gums and good bone structure to support the implants. These underlying health conditions can lead to many complications.
Health Insurance
Dental implants are not covered by most health insurance plans. However, certain health plans do cover dental implants.