Dental implants are an excellent option for people with significant tooth gaps. When a patient is having trouble with their self-confidence, communication, or diet, their dentist may recommend dental implants. While there are alternative options for replacing lost teeth, such as bridges, dental implant surgery is an option for individuals who do not want or cannot tolerate traditional dentures. Discuss your best course of action with a dentist in Honolulu, HI.
The Case for Surgery
More than just restoring a patient’s smile, dental implants can improve their overall oral health. People given these relatively unnoticeable dental appliances report mental and physical benefits. The favorable effects of implants on daily life can help convince individuals to consult their dentists about getting implants. The most common justifications patients provide for spending the money on the operation are as follows:
Increased oral wellness
Without the additional support supplied by teeth roots, the jawbone can gradually degenerate when the teeth are gone. Patients may have difficulty eating and biting, affecting their nutritional requirements. Patients will be able to eat better, and their jawbones will strengthen once gaps are filled.
Modified Glee
People who are missing teeth may avoid showing their teeth by smiling. They might also have trouble expressing themselves, making them withdrawn and shy. Replacement teeth are color- and shape-matched to the patient’s existing teeth, so they look and feel completely natural and don’t interfere with eating, speaking, or smiling.
Effortless resilience
Dentures and bridges typically need to be replaced within a decade, and in some cases, much sooner, meaning that patients will need to make more regular dental trips. Implant restorations are so durable that they can often last a lifetime without being removed. Even removable alternatives have extended lifespans as long as patients keep up with their routine oral hygiene.
Operation procedure
Three pieces make up an implant. The first type consists of a metal post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone beneath the gums. Attached to the post above the gums is an intermediate component called an abutment. Finally, the crown is the artificial tooth’s last component.
Alternatives to Implants
Depending on the patient’s implant, the operation could take longer. Generally speaking, there are three categories:
- If a patient has to replace a single tooth, they will only need one implant.
- An implant-supported bridge can be placed over abutment implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth in a row.
- When most of a patient’s teeth are missing, a full denture can be affixed to several implants.