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The purpose of a dental implant is to not just replace a tooth, but to also replace the missing tooth’s roots. By planting roots in place, the patient’s tooth is secured in the jawline. This restoration of natural tooth functioning improves not just the form of the jaw, but also the functionality of having a sturdy tooth in the right place. Having natural-looking dental implants to replace missing teeth and its roots yields a number of long-term benefits.
One such benefit is the prevention of shifting teeth. When a tooth is missing, there is a gap in the gums. This vacant space gives your teeth room to move, which can be detrimental to not just the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, but also to your dental health. A dental implant provides an anchor for the tooth, which prevents the teeth from shifting.
Implants that are secured into the jawbone provide a secure anchor for a prosthetic tooth. The prosthetic tooth, which replaces the missing tooth, will require a point to be secured. A specialized screw—made of biocompatible materials such as titanium—is implanted into the patient’s jawline.
The Process
A dental implant procedure is considered a surgical process. First, a patient is placed under anesthesia. Then, the anchors are placed into the jaw. This first phase of the procedure requires several weeks in order to heal. After an appropriate amount of time as determined by the doctor, and only once the mouth has healed, the patient returns for the next phase.
During the next phase, the dentist will attach a prosthetic tooth to the implant. These prosthetics, meant to replace a tooth in form and function, are placed on top of the dental implants which are often made of titanium. If required or so desired, a porcelain crown is attached to the prosthetic tooth as well. This provides a cosmetic appearance that mimics the look of a natural tooth.
Whether an individual needs to replace an individual tooth, a row of teeth, or an entire mouthful, implants can be used to restore long-term form and function to a patient’s mouth. Because implants are strong and durable, serving as roots, they can also be used as the base for overdentures, also called removable dentures.
What are overdentures?
Overdentures are a type of removable denture. Because they are anchored into dental implants using screws, they offer more stability than ordinary dentures. In order to provide that stability, overdentures usually require at least two dental implants for the bottom row of teeth. The top row of teeth, on the other hand, will require more dental implants. Removable overdentures are often considered a more favorable option due to the stability they provide. This results in greater confidence in many areas of life, such as talking and smiling as well as chewing.