If you have never had problems with your teeth, then you would not understand the need for fixtures or implants. Toothache can be immensely painful, and losing teeth can be a harrowing process. Let’s not talk about aesthetics. Fortunately, there are solutions to the problem of losing teeth, which do not involve removing fixtures when you go to bed.
If you reside in Houston and its environs and seem to be having recurring issues with your dentition, this may be a solution for you. Of course, this solution is not by any means restricted to residents of any city, much less Houston. It is widely available. What we will be doing in this article is giving you some ground information to help you get started.
Dental implants are fixtures surgically set into the jawbone to stand in the place of missing teeth’s roots. The dentist never removes the implants but allows them to merge with the jawbone over time. Instead, they can fix replacement teeth over them and have them act as the root holding the new teeth in place. They have been in use since 1952, when Per-Ingvar Brånemark, an orthopedic surgeon, invented them.
If you are worried about the implants having a negative effect on other pre-existing teeth, do not fret. They do not affect the teeth standing close to it but have the ability to stand on their own while they merge to the jawbone. The manufacturing material, which is titanium, makes it easy for the fusion with the bone; the process is osseointegration. There is a massive success rate in this field as innovations have improved the process to a near-perfect point.
Types
There are basically two types of dental implants that have been in use since their invention: subperiosteal and endosteal. The former is an implant that sits atop the jawbone under the gum, while the latter goes into the bone of the jaw.
Nowadays, dentists no longer use the subperiosteal type because it provides poor results in the long run. But the endosteal is still very much in use because of its success compared to the subperiosteal.
They are primarily used to replace teeth, but dentists also use them for other procedures. For orthodontics, mini implants can work as TAD or temporary anchorage devices. They help to slowly but surely move teeth to a more desired spot. They are pretty small but excellently serve their purpose. Afterward, they are removed.
Also, dental implants act as support for a removable denture, providing a secure fit. And if you have lost all teeth, a few of them can serve as a comfortable yet secure prosthesis. In summary, they make it easy to replace lost teeth, and they are stable, providing long-term support.
Procedure
If you want to use these implants, you will need to consult with your dentist. They will examine the site and use imaging to have a thorough look inside the mouth. Next, the dentist will check the jawbone to determine whether or not there is a need for more bone there. When they are sure, the bone can take implants, the dentist books you for surgery.
You will be locally anesthetized to make you as comfortable as possible. There may be a need for tooth extraction as the old tooth at the implant site may still be there. A bone graft using synthetic or cadaver bone may be necessary for the simple fact of creating a stronger bone base.
The same applies even when there is no tooth to extract, and there is a loss of bone in the jaw. The first type of bone graft is the alveolar graft and is a simpler process than the second one, which is the onlay graft. The second type is more involved and usually needs a lot of downtime for recovery. But if no graft or extraction is necessary, the dentist can place the implant on the same day.
After the procedure, the dentist sets a healing cap over the site and stitches the gum. Then, the healing begins. Depending on the bone quality, the period may be as short as two months or as long as six months. During this period, you must never apply pressure or force at the site to allow for seamless and correct healing.
You must go for checkups so that any issues will be caught on time. And after the period of healing, the dentist checks the implant to see if it is properly fusing to the bone. If there is a problem, it should be seen during checkups.
Otherwise, the dentist will connect a dental component if everything checks out. It will secure the new tooth over the implant. They will take a mold of the component and make an implant crown to fit it. And when it is ready, it will be screwed in place or cemented to the component. Click here to see places where you can have the procedure.
Why Dental Implants Are the Best
The aim of using them is to restore the use of the teeth and add aesthetics. You can use an implant to replace all teeth, some teeth, or just one tooth. There are options for replacing teeth: partial or complete denture, implants, or cemented dental bridge.
Dentures are great and affordable, but they can be an inconvenience. You will have to remove them, and they can have an adverse effect on the taste of food. A dental bridge is a more favored option, but it still needs to depend on natural teeth for its support. The only option that stands alone and delivers the best results so far is the implant.
The option you choose will depend on a consultation with your dentist and your budget. Apart from these, you can also consider specific needs, where the teeth are missing, your health, and jawbone quality and quantity.
Risks
Existing medical conditions affect the overall outcome of this procedure. It will determine whether or not you are healthy enough to undergo surgery of any kind, even if it is in the mouth. And like oral surgery, there could be complications. Also, there is the risk of damaging the implants due to undue force or pressure. However, the rate of success is high, almost perfect, and that is encouraging.
Conclusion
Having dental implants is one reliable solution to losing teeth. They are stable, long-lasting, and have a high success rate. There are two types, but only one is still primarily in use today. If you have a need for a tooth replacement, it is best to consider this option if it is within your budget.
