A patient may invest in dental implants for a variety of different reasons, many of which focus on positively changing personal image and improving overall oral health. Implants are often applied when patients are missing one or more teeth and are not interested (or have had no success with) dentures or dental bridges. To understand if this type of dental work is the right course of action, a patient must first know about the types of implants and the issues they address.
On a basic level, a dental implant is a metal post that is screwed into the patient’s jawbone. Once secured, an artificial tooth, or crown, that matches the patient’s natural tooth color is attached to the post. The end result is a full smile and healthy, sturdy bite.
Dental implants can be broken into several categories, and a dentist may suggest one over the others because of specific patient needs. First, a dentist must determine if the patient has a strong enough jawbone for an implant. After that is decided, a patient may receive one of three different types of implants.
All implants can be divided into two major types: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are placed directly in the jawbone. These are often used with patients who have strong, healthy jawbones that are not at risk of breaking during the procedure or after the implants are placed. Endosteal placements are more common than subperiosteal.
Subperiosteal implants do not go into the jawbone but rest above it within the gums. Patients who do not have robust jawbones may undergo bone restoration techniques to regrow and fortify the bone to make it a candidate for endosteal implants. However, patients who do not wish to receive this treatment can opt for subperiosteal implants.
Single dental implants are used if a patient is missing just one tooth. One post can be set into the jawbone where the tooth is missing, essentially replacing the lost root. The jawbone must then be given ample time to heal around the post, a period that can last several months. After it is fully healed, the crown is secured to the post via a third piece called an abutment.
Some patients are missing consecutive teeth in a row. In this case, dental implants can be placed in the location of the roots of the two teeth on each end of the row. The crowns attached to these implants support the crowns in between, creating an effective “bridge.” This removes the need for an implant under each artificial tooth.
The third option is for patients missing most teeth. Several implants are secured in the jawbone and attached to an entire denture that sits on top of the gums. Instead of having dentures that must regularly be removed, these dentures are permanently fixed in place.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp:
Dental Implants in St. George, UT
Some dental implants work better for certain patients than others. See a dentist to get an assessment of your teeth and to discover what implant may work well for you.
Request an appointment or call About Dental Care at 435-359-0147 for an appointment in our St. George office.
If you have missing teeth, there are multiple replacement options from which you can choose. Dental implants are one, and they are a popular choice for various reasons. Although implants may be an effective treatment method, they are not for everyone. Therefore, you should consider the benefits and other information before making a decision.The implant…
Getting dental implants is a lengthy process that yields desirable results. By replacing both the root and exterior of a missing tooth, this solution restores function, enhances appearance, and preserves the jawbone and gum tissue. Before selecting this treatment option, patients should understand the progression of appointments leading to getting implants and the factors that…
Dental implants offer individuals the opportunity to regain a fully functioning set of teeth. The aftercare procedures are imperative to ensure the surgical area heals and implant osseointegration occurs. Osseointegration is the process by which the bone in the jaw fuses with the implant posts. This creates the solid foundation needed to support the apparatus.…
If you are getting dentures, you might want to learn how to eat and speak with them.The good news is there are a few ways you can do that. It just takes some patience. Within no time, you will be speaking and eating, just like usual.It takes some time to get used to false teeth.…
In some form, dentures have been around for centuries. This type of artificial teeth has helped countless people feel good about their appearance and eat most foods again.If you have missing teeth or no teeth at all, talk to your dentist about this option. You can learn what this process entails and how it can…