Dental Implants
Implants are devices that replace the roots of missing teeth. They are used to support crowns, bridges or dentures. Implants are surgically placed in your jawbone. Most of the time, implants feel more natural and secure than other methods of replacing missing teeth, such as dentures.
Why should I replace my missing teeth ?
- Having all of your teeth can make you more self-confident. You don’t worry that people notice that you have teeth missing.
- When teeth are lost, the area of the jawbone that held those teeth starts to dissolve. Implants help to preserve the bone and the shape of your jaw.
- Tooth loss affects how well you chew and what foods you are able to eat. Some people who have missing teeth have poor nutrition, which can affect overall health. Raw fruits and vegetables require more chewing. Someone who finds it difficult to chew may avoid them. Other options, such as blending, pureeing and juicing, are not always considered.
- The loss of teeth can change your bite, the way your teeth come together. Changes in your bite can lead to problems with your jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint.
- Losing teeth can lead to changes in your speech. This also can affect your self-confidence.
Are they successful?
Studies indicate that surgical placement of root-form implants is successful more than 90% of the time. When these implants fail, the problems usually occur within the first year after surgery. After that, only about 1% of all implants fail each year.
Implants have become increasingly popular since the American Dental Association (ADA) endorsed them in 1986. Between 1986 and 1999, the number of implant procedures tripled.It is now estimated that more than half a million implants are placed every year in the United States.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to last a long time — upwards of 25 years — and are a long-term, permanent teeth replacement solution. Implant alternatives typically last between 5 to 15 years before needing to be replaced.
What is the risk of dental implants?
Risks include: Infection at the implant site. Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels. Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin.
How painful is a dental implant?
You can expect to feel some pain when receiving a dental implant. However, people who undergo the procedure often say that having a tooth removed is morepainful. A dental implant requires that your dentist make incisions in your gums. You will receive local anesthesia to numb your mouth during the procedure.
How long do implants last?
In general, it is thought that implants last approximately 10 years or should be replaced every eight to 10 years. A ruptured saline implant is clinically obvious as the breast will deflate and there will be great asymmetry. A ruptured silicone implant is more difficult to determine and is referred as a silent rupture.
Implants vs. Alternatives
Depending on your particular problem, implants can be more expensive than the alternatives (denture or bridge).The upfront cost for implants can be more than for other types of restorations. But the investment can pay off in the long run. You may not need an implant for every missing tooth. Your dentist can discuss how many implants you will need.
Other benefits of implants include:
- Feel— Because implants are embedded in your bone, they feel more like your natural teeth than dentures.
- Convenience — You will not need to worry about denture adhesives or having your dentures slip, click or fall out when you speak.
- Nutrition— You may be able to chew better with implants. Chewing can be difficult with regular dentures, especially ones that don’t fit perfectly. A regular upper denture also covers your palate, which can reduce your sense of taste.
- Self-esteem—Because implants are so much like your natural teeth, you will think about them less. Your self-esteem and confidence will be improved because you will not have to worry about denture problems or people noticing that you have missing teeth. Regular dentures also can affect your speech. This can make you less self-confident when talking