A dental implant is a screw-like device that acts as an artificial tooth root. The surgeon inserts an implant into your jawbone and it acts as anchor for artificial teeth called crowns. Crowns can be made out of gold or porcelain depending on your preference. A device called an abutment connects artificial teeth (crown) into place on top of your dental implants.
Dental Implant Benefits
Dental implants are wildly popular because of the many peerless benefits they offer. Some of the notable benefits of dental implants include:
- Dental implants are more comfortable
- Dental implants look more natural
- Dental implants can help improve the chewing function
- Dental implants minimizes the risk of cavities developing nearby
- Dental implants can result in better bone maintenance
- Dental implants can minimize sensitivity of nearly teeth
- Dental implants don’t need to be taken out and cleaned every night
Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. The implant devices need to bond with your jawbone, so it’s important that you have healthy bones before undergoing surgery.
Dental Implant Types
There are two types of dental implants:
- Endosteal
- Subperiosteal
Endosteal implants are more common. A surgeon will embed them in the jawbone and each can hold one (or more) artificial teeth. A subperiosteal implant is affixed on top of the jawbone. This option is considered ideal for those who don’t have much height in their jawbone.
Dental Implant Safety
Dental implants are a great option for people who have lost all natural teeth and want, or need to replace them. This number has been increasing steadily every year with 3 million Americans now sporting dental implants. The number is said to increase by about 500,000 yearly.
Dental implant surgery is a safe procedure as long as it is performed by an experienced surgeon or dentist. It’s also the only dental restoration option that maintains your jawbone’s health and stimulates its growth.
Dental Implant Risks
Not everyone is eligible for dental implant surgery. Dental implants is not the recommended option for patients with:
- Acute illness
- Soft tissue or bone infection or disease
- Uncontrollable metabolic disease
In some instances, dental surgeons won’t operate on patients with:
- Heavy smoking habits
- Parafunctional habits like clenching or tooth grinding
- Psychiatric or behavioral disorders
- Diabetes
- HIV
- Osteoporosis
Dental surgeons may also opt not to operate on people that are undergoing the following treatments because of increased implant complication risks.
- Chemotherapy
- Bisphosphonate drug treatment for bone loss diseases
- Radiation therapy of the neck or head
Dental Implant Surgery Potential Complications
Those who undergo dental implant surgery can experience a few complications during the procedure or afterwards. Some of the possible risks and complications include:
- Nerve damage (sometimes resulting in altered sensation in the surgical area)
- Opening of the incision (following surgery)
- Implant movement
- Implant exposure (above the gumline)
- Implant infection
Patients who experience exposure or implant movement might need to undergo additional procedures to improve the health of the gums or bones or to replace or remove the implant.
Some of the common signs and symptoms that a dental implant procedure has been unsuccessful include:
- The implant is very mobile
- There is pus (and other secretions) from the implant site
- Pain when the implant is tapped
- Rapid and progressive bone loss
Dental Implant Maintenance
People who want to ensure that their artificial teeth remain in good condition should brush and floss regularly. Dental implants are just like regular tooth enamel—they require proper maintenance and care.
The tooth implants should also be checked periodically by a dentist or surgeon to make sure that they are healing well and not causing any health issues. A professional cleaning is needed every six months, so this shouldn’t be missed as well.
