What Exactly Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants secure artificial teeth in place, acting as replacement tooth roots. Thus, a general dentist can restore one tooth, several teeth, or even a full mouth of teeth. Since they look, feel, and function like real teeth, they also restore the appearance of a patient’s smile.

Dental implants, defined

Dental implants involve surgically implanting titanium screws into the jawbone to support artificial teeth. The goal is for them to fuse with the jawbone so the artificial teeth remain in the mouth without needing to be removed for oral hygiene.

A dental crown will likely rest on top of the implant for patients missing a single tooth. Those missing three teeth in a row may benefit from an implant-supported dental bridge: two crowns placed on top of two implants that support a false tooth called a pontic in the middle. Finally, those missing a whole arch of teeth may have four to six implants installed to support a full-arch prosthetic.

Benefits unique to dental implants

A permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement

The most popular benefit of dental implants is that they feel and look like real teeth. Even if only a single tooth is missing, the crown affixed on top of the implant will be color-matched to the surrounding teeth. This results in a seamless, aesthetically pleasing dental restoration that restores chewing function and speaking ability.

Easy care and maintenance

Well-maintained implants can last over 20 years. Fortunately, implants can also be cared for like real teeth. Maintenance includes twice daily brushing and flossing once a day. Just like natural teeth, dental cleanings and checkups are recommended every six months.

While false teeth cannot decay, failing to practice consistent oral hygiene can lead to a type of gum disease called peri-implant disease or peri-implantitis. Symptoms include gum inflammation, tender gums, and gums that bleed easily when flossing or brushing.

Keeps the jawbone engaged

A major benefit of implants is that since they act as false tooth roots, they continue to keep the jawbone engaged. The underlying jawbone will not receive proper stimulation with a missing tooth or removable dentures, leaving it to shrink in size. It can also change the appearance of the face. Dental implants allow patients to regularly engage their jawbone while chewing, preserving the appearance and health of the jaw.

Determining candidacy for implants

Most patients interested in replacing teeth with dental implants qualify for the procedure. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. For one, patients should be in good health, without any preexisting conditions that would make healing difficult. Improper healing increases the risk of infection and dental implant failure. Further, it is impossible to place the false tooth until the patient fully heals and the implant fuses with the jawbone.

Another key factor is that there must be a sufficient amount of jawbone to support the implants. If needed, patients may rebuild a shrunken jawbone through dental bone grafts. A general dentist can discuss other procedures that may be needed to become a candidate for dental implant surgery.