Thanks to advances in dental technology over the last few decades, there are many different solutions for replacing missing teeth. Tooth loss can occur as a result of many different reasons, and it is a natural part of old age. Poor oral hygiene is one of the major causes of tooth loss; however, sometimes, you may lose your teeth due to an accident or injury that causes trauma to your mouth.
If you have lost a tooth or several teeth and have decided to address this issue, then it is important that you speak to your dentist Meath sooner rather than later to help keep your options open and also preserve the health of your remaining teeth. The loss of a tooth can result in the weakening of the surrounding teeth and it can also cause the bone to decay. Speak to your dentist today to find out about dental implants and why they are a popular solution for tooth replacement.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a well-established and permanent solution for replacing your missing teeth with an excellent 98% success rate. Whether you have one missing tooth or you need to replace your whole set, speak to your dentist to find out about the advantages of dental implants and how they can benefit you.
Your dentist will carry out a full examination of your remaining teeth to make sure that there are no further issues. If there are any, these will be treated before your implant surgery to allow the procedure to be as successful as possible. Next, your dentist will carry out x-rays and three-dimensional scans of your mouth and take impressions of your teeth where necessary. Some patients require bone grafting where there may be insufficient bone for the implant to be inserted into your jaw securely; this is either done before the implant surgery or, if you require minor grafting, done at the same time.
The implant itself consists of a titanium screw that is inserted into the bone socket of your missing tooth and works to replace the root of your tooth. This initiates a natural process known as osseointegration, which causes bone cells to form around the screw so that it embeds permanently into your jaw bone. This can take up to 12 weeks to occur, and, within this time, you will have to attend regular checkups with the dentist to ensure that the process is coming along successfully.
Once the dentist determines that the implant has successfully embedded into your jaw bone, they will attach an abutment, also known as a connector post, to which your choice of tooth replacement can be securely fixed.
Dental implants help restore the full functioning of your mouth to how it used to be before tooth loss. Moreover, it improves the aesthetics of your mouth so that you can smile happily and confidently again. Practise good oral hygiene and visit your dentist on a regular basis and your dental implants will give you excellent results.