The Dental Makeover

Many individuals suffer from issues that involve teeth.  Many factors cause the loss of teeth, including genetics, gum disease, and poor maintenance.  The loss of teeth can transform a confident individual into a reclusive self,-conscious one.  There is an answer for the loss of teeth; teeth implants can perform and look just like real teeth.  There are other alternatives to teeth implants, such as a bridge or dentures, but teeth implants are stronger and more durable than the other options.  Teeth implants can provide the patient with a permanent answer to the loss of teeth, whereas a bridge or dentures are usually removable and will eventually have to be replaced.

The technology behind teeth implants has come a long way in recent years, making it possible for more and more people receive them.  Dentists do not need a special license to insert teeth implants (crown and bridge placement); however, the most important part of the teeth implant procedure (the surgery) must be performed by either a periodontist or an oral surgeon.  The periodontist must first determine if the candidate is eligible for teeth implants.  This is done by examining two factors:  The bone in the jaw must be strong to support the implant and the gum tissues must be healthy.  Since teeth implants are closely tied with both the bone and the gum tissues, the periodontist is an integral part of the entire process.

The dentist and the periodontist will offer a treatment plan that is practical and suitable for the needs of the patient.  This may be the need to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of them.  There are two types of teeth implants:  Endosteal (in the bone) and Subperiosteal (on the bone).  Endosteal teeth implants are the more common of the two.  A screw or a cylinder is surgically placed into the jawbone.  The implant will hold one or more teeth.  Subperiosteal teeth implants are placed on top of the jaw with the posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthetic teeth.

The entire process may take as long as six months, due to a period of time known as Osseointegration.  This is the process where the root of the implant is accepted by the jawbone.  It also includes the healing of the gums.  If the cosmetic procedure is performed before the healing and the anchoring is complete, then the entire procedure may fail.  Once the screws are capped, the teeth implants will look and feel like normal teeth.

Teeth implants are painful and time consuming, but the results are nothing short of a modern miracle.  Aside from the positive changes in appearance, teeth implants promote normal eating habits and maintain healthy spacing.  Teeth implants are expensive, but the rewards may be worth the dental implant cost.