All About Dental Implants

Missing teeth, if left untreated, can cause a host of issues for your mouth. If you’ve got a missing tooth, it’s best to get it treated as soon as possible. There are a variety of ways to fix this issue; today we’ll be looking at one of them in particular: dental implants.

Parts of an Implant

A dental implant is an artificial tooth that takes the place of a real one that’s gone missing. It’s a surgical fixture, designed to attach and integrate into the jawbone in a way that secures the prosthetic to the bone. The implant acts like an anchor for the artificial tooth, which is attached via a metal abutment. You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a natural tooth and a well done dental implant. Through an extraordinary process known as osseointegration, metals like titanium, which are used in dental implants, are able to bind and integrate with bone, providing a tight and secure fit. If a multiple teeth are missing in a row, a bridge may be used to replace all the teeth at once.

When is an Implant Necessary?

As mentioned, missing teeth can pose an issue for teeth in the surrounding area, resulting in misgrowth and improper alignment. An implant may be used to fill this space and prevent this from happening. Sometimes, a tooth that’s become too sick to treat must be removed, in which case a dental implant could also be used to replace it. In order to be eligible for an implant, your dentist will first assess the health of your gums and the strength of your bone.

Risks and Benefits

It may sound a little unsettling to think about grafting metal and bone together. However, dental implants have been in use for decades and often are able to make large improvements on a person’s quality of life. A good implant can last for decades, looking, acting, and behaving like a normal tooth. Implants offer strong support and are great at filling the space created by missing teeth. However, as a surgical process, they aren’t entirely without risk. Surgical complications, such as infection and damage to nearby blood vessels and tissues, are always a concern. You may experience increased bleeding in your gums. Finally, there’s a chance that the implant may fail to attach and integrate into the bone, leading to further complications.

Dental implants are a great way to treat a missing tooth, but even they don’t beat prevention! Taking good care of your teeth ensures that they’ll serve you for decades to come. Have a sore tooth that needs to be looked at? Come visit Centennial Smiles by booking an appointment at (587) 317-7959, or contact us from our website at https://centennial.dgstesting.com/contact-us/.