Are Dental Implants The Best Choice For You?

If you are missing some teeth, then replacing those teeth should be a high priority. However, there are actually several different options to choose from, ranging from dentures to implants to bridges. To help you determine the right course of action for you, here is an overview of how implants work and what advantages they bring to the table:

The Basics

Implants are fairly simple devices that replace individual teeth. They are comprised of three separate components, which are the implant, the abutment, and the crown. Each is installed separately, with several weeks of healing between each step.

  1. The implant is first installed, either into your gums or directly into your jawbone. This is the most intrusive and damaging step, so you should be prepared for a bit of soreness afterwards. Implants look quite a bit like screws, since that shape allows them to anchor themselves into your mouth and prevent movement in the future.
  2. The abutment is then attached to the top of the implant and allows a solid connection between the implant and the crown.
  3. Finally, the crown is placed last, which results in a complete tooth that is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. Crowns must be designed and built over a number of weeks, but that is easily done during the healing period for your gums, which means that the implant should be complete in a timely manner.

The Different Types

There are also two different types of implants, which differ mainly in where they are installed.

Endosteal implants are installed deeper and directly into the jawbone. They are the more stable option and are less likely to shift over time, but they are also a bit straining on your jawbone.

Subperiosteal implants are installed into the gums instead, which means that they aren't quite as deep. They can't draw upon the support of the jawbone for stability, but if your jawbone has some structural problems or is fragile, then a subperiosteal implant is the only alternative.

The Advantages

You may feel a difference for the first few weeks or months, but you should eventually feel perfectly comfortable in your implant. To contrast, you might never get used to dentures, since you will need to take them out and put them in frequently.

In addition to that, implants will likely last for the rest of your life, while other options may wear down and need replacement after a number of years. If you want to replace your tooth and never worry about it again, then an implant is the best choice for you. For more information, contact a dentist like Bruce Mathes DDS.


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