Dental Implants

Injury, poor oral hygiene, or periodontal disease can cause tooth loss. Dental implants are a good solution to replace missing teeth and improve a person's smile and self confidence.

Dental implants are small cylinders that resemble screws. The cylinders act as roots for artificial teeth when implanted into jawbone beneath gum tissue. After the cylinder is in place, a dentist attaches an abutment to the cylinder. A dental crown (artificial tooth) is added to complete the implant procedure.

Though dental implants can be used for cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of a person's smile, dental implants serve as tooth restoration and replacement teeth for people who have lost their teeth from periodontal disease and are unable to living a fulfilling lifestyle as a result.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Many people feel that dental implants are more secure and feel more natural than dentures or bridges. There are several dental implant advantages:

• Dental implants replace a single tooth or a few teeth without sacrificing the health of other teeth
• Dental implants keep jawbones healthy and intact
• Dental implants can be easier to clean than dental bridges
• Dental implants can be more comfortable than dentures

Dental Implant Candidates

An ideal dental implant candidate is a healthy adult who is missing teeth from decay or injury. A candidate for dental implant surgery should have great oral hygiene, healthy gums, and a fully developed jawbone. To determine if a person is a good dental implant surgery candidate, dentists performs a complete dental examination and evaluation.

Dental Implant Surgery

Prior to surgery, a person is given specific instructions on what to eat and drink before the surgery and after. A person may need assistance getting home, so friends or family members may need to be present.

During surgery, a person is given a local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or sedation for pain control. A dental surgeon cuts into gum tissue and exposes the jawbone. Holes are drilled into the jawbone so dental implants can be placed. Once the dental implant is inserted, the gums are stitched closed over the cylinder.

A person will need to heal before the abutment and artificial tooth is attached to the implant. The healing and surgery process can take a few months. If a person has a weak jawbone, he or she may require a bone graft. Grafting involves taking bone from another area of the body and implanting the bone into the jaw. Healing from bone grafting can take about six months.

After Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery, a person may have swelling in the jaw, mouth, and face. Sometimes, bruising around the jaw area occurs and a person can have problems opening his or her mouth. A person will need to eat soft foods for a few days. Typically, stitches dissolve on their own, otherwise a person will need to visit a dentist to have stitches removed.

For more information about dental implants or dentistry, visit Consumer Guide to Dentistry.