Replace a Missing Tooth With a Tooth Implant
Compared to previous generations when tooth loss was common, modern dentistry has made it possible for people to keep their teeth healthy and attractive for their entire lives. But for people who have experienced tooth loss, a full or partial denture has been the answer.
But dentures have drawbacks. Food gets caught under the denture with resulting sore gums. Or a denture can loosen and cause embarrassment.
Today, dental implants can replace missing teeth. Although the concept of a tooth implant is not new, advances in technology have improved the treatment process and the longevity of implants.
Modern day dental implants are made of pure titanium and are surgically inserted in the jawbone. The tooth implant is covered with gum tissue and allowed to heal for three to six months. During this time, the titanium meshes with the bone (osseointegration), becoming part of the jawbone itself. After the gums are healed, the implants are uncovered and permanent tooth replacements are attached to the implants.
Dental implants can be used for single tooth replacements, support for a permanent bridge, or as attachments to anchor a full denture securely to the jaw.
If you think a tooth implant could help you or someone you know chew more comfortably, speak more clearly, or look better, call your dental office for more details.
By Laura Minsk, DMD
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Dental Implant Prices: Can I Afford It?
Deciding whether you can afford dental implants can be a complicated process. Dental implant prices depend on many factors including your own overall health, the complexity of the problem, whether additional bone grafting may be necessary, and the cost of the materials used.
There are different types of dental implants used in dentistry. There's been great success with "osseointegrated" implants. It's a system where the bone and implant mesh. A chemical and mechanical bond is formed so the jawbone actually grows into the implants. The most rewarding part of these successful implants in dentistry is that patients are happy with the results for years.
Dental implants are used in different ways by dentists. You may require a single implant to bridge a gap, or two implants to support a bridge. Or, if a lower denture needs to be stabilized, two to four implants might be required.
Unfortunately, if your jawbone can't support an implant due to bone loss, tooth implants may not be an option. However, if you have a sound jawbone, dental implants are the best thing offered in dentistry next to real teeth.
Where to find dental implants in your area:
For more information on dental implant prices or to schedule a dental implant consultation for yourself, enter your information in the form on this page and click Submit. You will receive a list of implant specialists in your area who can give you the tooth replacement information and quality care you need.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.