Despite improvements in dental care, millions of
Americans suffer tooth loss -- mostly due to tooth decay,
periodontitis (gum disease), or injury. For many years, the only
treatment options available for people with missing teeth were
bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are
available.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are titanium replacements of tooth roots.
Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or
removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural
teeth.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
There are many advantages to dental implants, including:
- Improved appearance. Dental implants look and
feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse
with bone, they become permanent.
- Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures,
the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur
your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry
that your teeth might slip.
- Improved comfort. Because they become part of
you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
- Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make
chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth,
allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without
pain.
- Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give
you back your smile, and help you feel better about yourself.
- Improved oral health. Dental implants don't
require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does.
Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more
of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral
health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth,
improving oral hygiene.
- Durability. Implants are very durable and will
last many years. With good care, many implants last a
lifetime.
- Convenience. Removable dentures are just that;
removable. Dental implants can eliminate the embarrassing
inconvenience of removing your dentures, as well as the need for
messy adhesives to keep your dentures in place.
How successful are dental implants?
Success rates vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants
are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of
up to 97%. With proper care (see below), implants can last a
lifetime.
Can anyone get dental implants?
In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental
extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant
procedure. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to
hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene
and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people suffering from
uncontrolled chronic disorders -- such as diabetes or heart
disease -- or patients who have had radiation therapy to the
head/neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you
are considering implants, talk to your dentist to see if they are
right for you.