If you have a tooth or two missing, experienced Buckhead dental care specialists would recommend replacing them with dental implants. First developed in 1952 by the Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark, dental implants are surgical fixtures that are placed directly into your bone then left to fuse with it over time. This ensures that the implant is secure and looks natural, unlike dentures. Other benefits include being able to speak and eat properly without worrying about your dentures slipping out. If you’re thinking of getting implants, you’ll need to know more about them.
The Types of Implants and Whether You Can Get Them
Right now, there are two types of dental implants. First is the endosteal type, which is the most common type of implant. They usually consist of screws, blades and cylinders that are directly placed into your bone. Either one tooth is usually placed over each implant or the implant is a support for multiple teeth. The other type is subperiosteal. Implants like this use metal framework that’s placed over your gums. They are only used when your bone height is not enough.
Getting dental implants requires that you be healthy enough to undergo any oral surgery procedure like a tooth extraction or a root canal. This means that those who suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes may have to opt for other options for teeth replacement. The other requirement for getting a dental implant is having healthy gums and plenty of bone mass in the area where your implant is going into.
The Implantation Process
Thankfully, the first step of the implant process is a consultation with your dentist. An excellent Buckhead dentistry practice like Buckhead Esthetic Dentistry will need to formulate an individualized treatment plan. Every patient is unique and people may require specific treatments for the implant process to be successful. For example, bone grafts may be needed to ensure that the implant will be able to take hold. These grafts come in the form of sinus augmentation when the implant goes in your upper jaw or ridge modification when it is in your jaw bone.
Once a treatment plan is set-up, your dentist then starts the process by placing a titanium abutment in the socket of the missing tooth. Once placed, the bone is then given a chance to grow around the implant, ensuring that it sticks. The healing process will usually take several months, so in the meantime, dentists will be performing regular check-ups to ensure it is healing properly. Once healed, the replacement tooth is then bonded to the implant. With good care, you can then enjoy its use for years to come.
Source:
Dental Implants, WebMD
Dental Implants, MedicineNet