Dental Implant Guide

A dental implant is an artificial substitute for the root element of a tooth, generally made from titanium. The implant is anchored into a socket in the jawbone to secure in denture in place. They are becoming a popular way of replacing damaged or missing teeth as it is a long term solution.

Losing teeth is fairly common, whether this be down to trauma or health reasons such as decay or gum disease. Teeth have both functional and aesthetic requirements so replacing lost teeth is essential for the majority of people. Dentures are the most common solution for missing teeth but dental implants are becoming increasingly popular due to a number of benefits.

What are the advantages of Dental Implants?

The implant located in the area of the missing tooth will encourage bone growth. The bone around the area of a missing tooth gradually disappears unassisted which can lead to the jaw changing shape. Dentures normally have to be adjusted to the change in shape of the jaw.

The function of an implant performs just as well as a natural tooth. Food can be eaten with confidence. Dentures can cause issue when eating, causing irritation and inflammation of gums.

Implants can be treated with the same daily hygiene routine as natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing is essential. No special requirements necessary.

An implant is not dependent on the adjustment of any other tooth unlike a dental bridge. A dental bridge requires the tooth adjacent to the gap to be prepared, removing healthy bone structure. The structure of a dental bridge can be compromised if a supporting tooth is damaged which is a higher risk than that of a dental implant.

If anything, aesthetics is very prominent in today’s world, whether this is a good thing is another matter. Dental implants should be indistinguishable from surrounding, natural teeth. Dentures can look unnatural if they don’t blend with the gums.