|
When teeth are lost, they pose more of a threat to your oral health than you may realize. The most noticeable effect of missing teeth is you may feel too self-conscious to smile or talk to others. Biting irregularities can also be caused by tooth loss, which can result in negative eating habits, leading to secondary health problems like malnutrition. Dental implants are replacements for the root portion of your tooth and consist of a threaded titanium screw or post surgically placed into the jaw bone. By replacing your missing roots, implants offer more than an esthetic enhancement. Implants provide people with the strength and durability required to eat the foods they love. In certain instances, dental implants may be the only choice for restoration of the functionality of your teeth. Dental Implant Procedure Before your implants are placed, your bone density will need to be assessed in order to ensure that you have sufficient quality and quantity of bone tissue available around the site where the implant will be placed. If you do have insufficient bone density, then you may need bone grafting before your implants can be embedded. Mini implants can be used in certain cases as well if your bone density is too low for larger implants. Once the implant is in place, the surrounding gum tissue is secured over your implant and a protective cover is placed on top to allow for healing. This process of healing is referred to as osseointegration, which is the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant. After healing is done, the screw cover is removed and an abutment is place over the implant. This serves as an anchor point to securely hold your implant in place. Natural Teeth are Preserved Dental implants do not require the drilling or removal of the teeth surrounding the implant site. As a result, your natural teeth remain intact and unharmed. Additionally, implants do not require special brushes or extra care to maintain proper oral hygiene. Rather, you can simply take care of your implant the same way you generally care for your natural teeth. It is important to always maintain proper oral hygiene in order to protect your new implant, in addition to your natural teeth surrounding the implant. With tooth loss, bone loss of the jaw is often exhibited. With the embedding of the implant into your jaw, bone loss is slowed and it will essentially prevent excessive loss of your bone structure. Dental implants are one of the most successful ways to replace your missing teeth, allowing you to experience a very high success rate. As with any dental restoration, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure that they last a life time. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants; therefore it is very important to speak with your Islip dentist about all of your available options. Start your teeth restoration today by talking with your dentist in Islip on the best procedure for you.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Joseph Morris, an experienced cosmetic dentist in Islip. Dr. Morris and his experienced staff offer a full array of general and cosmetic dental services including Invisalign, veneers, teeth whitening and implants in Islip, and are committed to delivering the highest quality of care to every patient they serve.
|
