How Dental Implants Have Become the Most Popular Form of Restorative Dentistry

How Dental Implants Have Become the Most Popular Form of Restorative Dentistry

After Your Natural Tooth, a Dental Implant Is the Best Thing for Your Oral Health

Unlike other forms of restorative dentistry, a dental implant is a comprehensive tooth replacement treatment. Whereas other restorative treatments restore the crown (the part of the tooth visible above the gum line) dental implant treatment also replaces the tooth root.

The dental implant acts as a tooth root and then the prosthetic tooth that is attached acts as the crown. The benefits of which are healthier teeth, gums and jaw:

Healthier teeth and gums: when you lose a tooth the teeth on either side start to migrate into the gap. This can cause red, swollen gums as well as a misaligned bite.

Healthier jaw: misaligned bite can cause problems with jaw joints and muscles. Also when you lose a tooth, the bone that holds the tooth root starts to slowly dissolve. This can mean further problems for your other teeth. Jawbone shrinkage can also give your cheeks a sunken, hollow appearance.

DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE HEALTHIER AND LONG-TERM ARE MORE COST EFFECTIVE…

Dental implants are healthier because they look after your teeth, gums and jaw unlike any other form of restorative treatment. Cost-effective long-term because they will last longer than dentures or bridges meaning you won’t spend as much money replacing the prosthetic tooth attachment.

BIOCOMPATIBLE TO BETTER BOND WITH YOUR JAW…

The actual dental implant itself is made of a biocompatible titaniun. The dental implant is surgically inserted into your jaw where the tooth root is missing. Because of its biocompatible nature, there is little chance of your jawbone rejecting the foreign material.

A dental implant treatment takes as many as three appointments to complete:

1.       THE FIRST APPOINTMENT

This will be a consultation with a Redbank Plains Dental dentist about what a dental implant treatment involves and what you’ll need to do, and what to expect over the treatment time.

2.       THE SECOND APPOINTMENT

This appointment is where the biocompatible dental implant is surgically inserted into your jaw. Additionally, the impression for the prosthetic tooth will be taken. Once the jawbone has healed around the implant the prosthetic tooth can be attached. While the implant is healing a temporary cap will be placed over the gap to protect it.

INTERLUDE…

There will be a period of months between your second and third appointment. This period is where your jaw will heal around the dental implant. How long it takes to heal will depend on your body’s ability to heal, your oral health and whether the implant is in your upper or lower jaw.

3.       THE THIRD APPOINTMENT

The Third appointment is where the prosthetic tooth is attached to your dental implant. This can be either a crown, bridge or dentures depending on what your needs are. A prosthetic tooth attachment can last up to 10-15 years, although it does depend on how well you look after your oral health.

There are a great many benefits to dental implants over traditional restorative methods. Some have already been mentioned, but there are others that make dental implants the most popular restorative treatment for missing teeth.

• Strong and sturdy: unlike dentures dental implants won’t slip and slide in your mouth
• You can eat normally
• You are able to speak normally.

For more information on the dental implant treatment offered at Redbank Plains Dental, or to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.