Dental implants are natural-looking replacements for missing teeth.They provide the same function as the natural tooth roots.
Dental implant is a more natural approach to replace missing tooth.A dental implant is a small, sturdy, titanium post that acts as the root structure would for a natural tooth. A dental implant is placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. After the bone has grown around the implant, implants can hold a crown, bridge or over-denture just like roots hold natural teeth in place.
Implants are very durable and can last a lifetime. They require the same maintenance as natural teeth which includes brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups.A single tooth or a full arch of teeth which have been lost due to injury or disease can be replaced with dental implants.
Titanium metal is used because of its compatibility with bone and oral tissues.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Implant is the right solution to replace missing tooth or teeth
•Implant supported teeth look natural as they emerge through the gums.
•They function similar to natural teeth as they are supported by the gums & bone. They prevent bone loss that is bound to occur after tooth loss. Thus they maintain facial contour & thereby the youthfulness.
•Patients with implants will be able to chew even the hard food with ease unlike patients with dentures. Thus poor nutritional habits seen in people with missing teeth can be avoided. Good nutrition thus keeps people healthy.
•Implant supported teeth look very natural, stable & comfortable. This helps people to socialize without suffering from the emotional disturbances due to the missing teeth.
•Implants are made of materials that are well accepted by the body. They have good strength and take up the loads of food chewing .
•Implants are long lasting when maintained well.
•They prevent drilling of adjacent teeth as in bridges. Thus they help to preserve the structure & health of natural teeth.
When are the implants indicated?
Implants are useful to replace:
•Single missing tooth.
•Multiple missing teeth as in implant supported bridges.
•All missing teeth as in full mouth rehabilitation.
•And to support and stabilize dentures as in Implant supported over dentures.
What are the consequences of loss of single tooth?
Loss of a tooth can begin a chain of events that affect the integrity and health of rest of the dentition.
•The unprotected jaw ridge can get subjected to injury due to chewing forces.
•The neighboring teeth tilt into the empty space. This destroys proper functional balance.
•The drifted teeth create areas of food impaction. This can lead to consequences like decay in the drifted & adjacent teeth.
•Gum diseases can begin in these faulty contact areas.
•Because of abnormal teeth drifting process, the supporting bone gets affected & shrinks. This makes teeth replacement in future difficult.
•The remaining teeth are loaded with excessive chewing forces and are acting in direction that can be detrimental to the stability of rest of the teeth.
•The teeth opposite to the space of missing teeth might supra erupt. That is, they might move towards the opposing empty space. In the long run this loosens the opposing teeth.
What are the effects of tooth/teeth loss?
The unprotected jaw ridge can get subjected to injury due to chewing forces.
• The neighboring teeth tilt into the empty space. This destroys proper functional balance. The drifted teeth create areas of food impaction.
• This can lead to consequences like: decay in the drifted & adjacent teeth. Gum diseases can begin in these faulty contact areas.
•Due to abnormal teeth drifting process, the supporting bone gets affected & shrinks. This makes teeth replacement in future difficult.
•The remaining teeth are loaded with excessive chewing forces and are acting in direction that can be detrimental to the stability of rest of the teeth.
•The teeth opposite to the space of missing teeth might supra erupt. That is, they might move towards the opposing empty space. In the long run this loosens the opposing teeth.
