Dental implants are a safe, medically proven, esthetic alternative to traditional crowns, bridgework and dentures because implant restoration looks and feels more like natural teeth. More over they offer new levels of comfort, security and confidence over traditional treatments. For more than two decades, dental implants have been helping to provide quality life to patients with restorative needs. A dental implant is a small ?anchor? made of titanium that is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. After osseo – integration (when the surrounding bone has healed to the implant), a replacement tooth is secured to the top of the implant. This new tooth looks, feels and performs similar to your natural teeth.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Choosing dental implants as a treatment option can offer you a number of significant advantages.
- If you have missing teeth, the jaw bone begins to shrink over time leading to loss of natural shape of face. Dental implants help to reduce the resorption of jawbone by restoring the function of mastication and esthetics.
- Implants are better long term alternatives to bridgework as they eliminate the need to grind down health teeth when replacing one or more adjacent teeth. Your own natural healthy teeth are not compromised.
- Securely anchored dental implants do not slip or move. This eliminates some of the key problems of dentures like poor fit, gum irritation & pain from exposure. The results is superior comfort, reliability & freedom from embarrassment.
The conventional procedure for insertion and loading of dental implants involves several steps that take place over a time period ranging from 3 to 4 months.
Pre-treatment Consultation : After a careful evaluation of your dental and medical health history, your practitioner will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Initial Implant Placement : Your practitioner places the dental implant into your jaw while you are in local anesthesia. Over the next three months bone will heal into the surface of the implant, thus anchoring it into position.
Final Loading of Implant : Depending on your particular case, an additional minor procedure creates an opening through which your artificial replacement tooth will be screwed for natural restoration.
Proper Maintenance : Your dental practitioner will guide you on the proper care and maintenance of your new implants before, during and after the procedure. By following a routine of careful oral hygiene & regular checkups, your implants will look & feel great for many years to come.