How Do Dental Implants Work?

If you have missing or broken teeth it can affect the confidence that you have in your own smile. Not only that, but it can also make chewing problematic and leave you open to infection, gum disease, and tooth decay. 
There are several different options available to you when it comes to replacing your teeth including bridges, dentures, and dental implants. The most effective of these options are dental implants. 
But exactly what are dental implants and how can you benefit from them?
In this article, we’ll look at the dental implant procedure and examine how it works. 

What are Dental Implants? 
If you have a broken or damaged tooth, a dental implant can be used as a replacement for that tooth, thus restoring the function and the appearance of your teeth. 

Dental implants work by attaching a replacement to a small titanium screw that is fixed to the jawbone. 

This type of procedure provides a permanent solution to missing or broken teeth. Once a dental implant has been fitted, it will stay in place and will give you a solid bite. 

Dental implants have a more natural appearance than dentures. This is because they will be specifically made with your mouth in mind. 

Once you have dental implants in place, the risk of cavities forming in the neighboring teeth will dramatically decrease. Having dental implants will also reduce the chances of developing sensitivity in any of the teeth in the area. 

There are two types of dental implants that are commonly used. They are subperiosteal dental implants and endosteal dental implants. Let’s take a look at both of those. 

Endosteal Implants
Very often, when people talk about dental implants, they are referring to endosteal implants. These are the most common implants that are used. 
In this procedure, a titanium screw will be used. This will hold a crown in place. The titanium screw will go directly into your jawbone and will create a tight bond. 

Due to the way that the implant is fitted into place, these are the most effective type of dental implant. 

Subperiosteal Implants 
There may be occasions when a person is not a good match for having endosteal dental implants. When this is the case, it may be possible to get a different type of dental implant; subperiosteal implants. 

In the procedure for the subperiosteal implant, the crown is not fixed to the jawbone. Instead, the dental implant is fitted just above the jaw instead. 
Because of the fact that the crown is not directly attached to the jawbone, this is less effective than endosteal implants. 

Who Can Have Dental Implants?
Once you’ve decided that you would like to have dental implants, you will need to be assessed by your dentist to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. Your dentist will also decide which type of dental implant you will be able to have.

There are several pre-existing health problems that you should inform your dentist about. These include uncontrollable metabolic diseases, osteoporosis, HIV, AIDS, and diabetes. 

Your dentist will also need to know if you smoke and how much you smoke. 

The main thing that will inform your dentist's decision to carry out the dental implant procedure will be the condition of your jawbone. To find this out, the dentist will take x-rays that will provide them information about the strength of your jawbone, its bone density, and its ability to sustain the pressure that the implant will put on it. 

If you are not a suitable candidate for endosteal implants, you may be suitable for subperiosteal implants.

How Do Dental Implants Work?
The entire process involved in getting dental implants may take several months to complete. The first step would be to have your broken tooth removed if required. 

If you don’t have the right density in your jawbone, or your jaw is too soft, then it may be possible to have this grafted at this stage. It is essential that your jawbone is able to take the pressure of the dental implant. 

If you do need to have your jawbone grafting, then it may take several months before your jaw gets to the right strength. Once it is ready, the dentist will make a small incision into your gums and will then drill a small hole in your jawbone. 

The jawbone will need some time to heal and regrow. This could take several months again. While you wait, you will be given a denture to wear on a temporary basis. 

As soon as your jaw is ready to take the implant, your dentist will be able to put the screw into position. 

Once the screw has been put in place, your dentist will then make a replacement tooth. To get this perfect, your dentist will take impressions and x-rays of your mouth. 

Once the jaw has recovered from having the screw fitted, then it will be time for the dentist to fit your replacement tooth. 

Find Out if You Are a Suitable Candidate for Dental Implants 
If you want to improve the confidence that you have in your own smile, improve the quality of your bite, and lower the chances of you developing infections, gum disease, or tooth decay, then you should look into affordable dental implants. 

Talk to your dentist today to find out about the cost of dental implants. 
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Get in touch with Upland Dental today to find out what dental implants can do for your smile.