'Over the years, numerous ways of restoring teeth have evolved from simple procedures to complex operations. Today, the most popular method of restoration is by the use of dental implants. These artificial teeth are changing the way many people live. Dental implants are especially designed to function, feel, and look like the natural teeth they replace. the fact that these artificial teeth are designed to be identical to natural teeth when it comes to looks and functions, a person wearing this won’t have to worry about eating anything he wants, whether a soft cake or a hard fruit. He won’t have to be conscious to smile with confidence.
Dental implants help in preserving the structure of the face. This prevents deterioration of the jaw bones that happens when the teeth are already missing.
A dental implant is composed of three main parts: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The implant is a screw-like material made of titanium and is the one attached into the gums making it a substitute for a natural tooth's root. Titanium is the material being used as artificial root as this material bonds "intimately" with the human bone. Abutment is the material found between the titanium root and the artificial tooth. This holds the two parts together and maintains stability of the tooth even if it is used to bite harder surfaces.
The success or failure of dental implants depends on the health of the patient receiving the implant. The health of the mouth tissues will determine how long or how successful the dental implants will go. Evaluation also extends to the amount of stress the implant will go through. Chewing allows different chemicals and bacteria to have contact with all the teeth, whether natural or artificial. This is why planning the position of the dental implants is important in determining how long the implant will maintain its health. Positioning of the implants will be made depending on the angle and position of the teeth next to it. A prosthodontist is best trained to allow for optimal planning for implant surgery.
The final prosthetic can either be fixed on the implant or removable depending on what the patient wants or what suits his needs more. In each case, an abutment will be attached to the implant and if the prosthetic will be fixed, the crown will be attached to the abutment using either small lag screws or cement. On the other hand, if the patient wants his prosthetics removable, a special adaptor will be attached to the prosthetic so that the two detachable parts can be secured whenever they are attached to each other.
Health risks, complications and other similar problems may happen on two possible occasions. The first one may occur during the implanting procedure, as some nerves and blood vessels may be unintentionally damaged, infections, and other failures. The second possibility of complications might occur during the first few months after implanting and those that may happen in the long run. There might be mechanical failures or lack of sufficient materials to firmly attach one part of the dental implant to another. When it comes to the lifespan of the dental implants, the titanium implants, life differs from the prosthetic teeth's. a well-made and integrated titanium implant can stay stable for many years, while well prepared and well maintained prosthetic teeth can have about 15 year lifespan.
Compared to traditional false teeth, a dental implant is more costly because its materials are different and more expensive compared to the former. Implants can give a person the feel, comfort, and stability of a natural tooth, especially if the implant is not detachable. The procedure is also quite risky as there may be blood vessels or nerves that can be damaged if the dentist is not very careful. Hence dental specialists are most suited as they have an extra four years of training. Specialists manage complications easily.