The human body is truly a spectacle to look at, but often, we take it for granted. Our teeth, for instance, are the most valuable and quickly depreciating asset we own, yet many of us fail to take proper care of them. Nevertheless, we then tend to place significant value on a complete set of teeth when they are lost.
And for this, history has borne witness to people all over the world scrambling to invent contraptions that aid in replacing missing teeth, both for functional as well as cosmetic reasons. One of the most innovative modern-day tooth replacement mechanisms is the dental implant. But as a matter of fact, the first dental implants date back to eras as early as 1000 BC where an Egyptian king received copper pegs that were hammered into his jawbone!
Today, dental implants have become the staple of every dental household. It represents an indisputable method of replacing teeth that is both efficient as well as durable. If you’re curious to know what dental implants really are, here is everything you need to know.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants are artificial prostheses that are surgically implanted into your jawbone to replace missing teeth. It is made up of three crucial parts: the implant itself, the abutment, and the false crown. The implant, also known as the fixture is a titanium post that is screwed into the jawbone to act as the tooth root and holds the other components in place.
The abutment is a short, stumpy screw that behaves as a connector and attaches the implant to the artificial crown above. The false tooth made up of porcelain or zirconium is the part of the dental implant that is visible in the mouth and acts as the tooth crown.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants in Melbourne can be categorized into two major types. The endosteal (in the bone) dental implants are the most common type of dental implant generally used as an alternative for patients with removable dentures or bridges. They come in a variety of shapes such as cylinders, screws, or blades, and are embedded into the jawbone.
On the contrary, the subperiosteal (on the bone) dental implants are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis. These are excellent choices for individuals who are unable to wear conventional dentures due to inadequate jawbone density or height.
HOW DO DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK?
Your dentist will begin by drilling a small hole where your missing tooth’s roots once used to be. They then proceed to place the dental implant into your jawbone. This is followed by a standing period of healing and a pivotal process called osseointegration. Osseointegration is the scientific term for bone ingrowth into the dental implant.
Unlike natural teeth that attach to the surrounding bone and gums via a group of fibres called the periodontal ligament, the dental implant fuses directly to the bone. The total period of time dental implants take to fuse to the jawbone is about three to six months. After this period of healing is completed, your dentist will have you in for another appointment where you’ll receive your dental crown, bridge, or hybrid denture prosthesis.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is one in good general and oral health. This includes:
- Adequate bone support: Since the implant fuses with the bone, adequate bone material is required to support the implant. Bone grafting may be done in case of inadequate bone.
- Healthy gums: Patients must have positive gum health without underlying periodontal issues that can potentially compromise the success of the implant.
- Good oral health: Smokers, frequent drinkers, or diabetics with uncontrolled blood sugar have lower than average success rates and are thus not ideal candidates.
HOW CAN DENTAL IMPLANTS BENEFIT YOU?
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. Below are some incredible benefits of receiving dental implants.
- Enhanced aesthetics, as they look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
- Improved speech, unlike dentures that cause you to slur your words.
- Better comfort, as they are screwed into your jawbone like your natural teeth.
- Preserves bone integrity, as they continue to stimulate the bone
- Ease of eating, as they behave like your real teeth.
- Restores bite force, as they’re anchored to your jaw.
- Conserves face shape that would otherwise change due to lack of support.
- High durability, lasting anywhere from 10 to 15 years to even a lifetime.
- Improved oral health, as you can brush and floss them like your natural teeth.
- An outstanding success rate of almost about 98 percent.
- Helps elevate self-confidence, allowing you to smile without feeling self-conscious.
It is time you ditch your old-fashioned dentures and welcome brand-new dental implants. If you’re in and around Melbourne, you’ll be pleased to know that Hampstead Dental offers you brilliant dental implants at affordable prices!
