Many people are uncertain what their options are when they lose or chip their teeth either during an accident or because they have had poor oral health and decay has affected one or a number of teeth.
2. Many people are uncertain what their options are when they lose or chip their teeth either during an
accident or because they have had poor oral health and decay has affected one or a number of teeth.
The average percentage of total teeth lost in adults aging 20-64 is between 7 to 10 teeth, so it is not an
uncommon experience that signifies low education on oral hygiene, poor health or inattentive care. As
the human body ages, connections weaken between tooth roots and jawbone and protective layers start
to degrade, leading to eventual loss of teeth.
It wasn’t so long ago that options for these missing teeth were few and far between, forcing patients to
make tough decisions regarding their remaining teeth or risk prematurely ageing as the face structure
changes due to the absence of teeth.
And so along came dental implants. This ingenious idea not only gave patients their confidence back
and allowed for a natural look to be regained, but the permanent fixture promoted better oral health
which in turn provided a lasting care for remaining teeth.
3. So what exactly are these dental implants?
A dental implantactually refers to a metal screw that is screwed into the jawbone, eventually fusing to it
and creating a very stable and sturdy structure in which to attach crowns, bridges or dentures onto.
In other words, it could be said that a dental implant is a replacement tooth root.
A dental implant looks, feels and acts just like a natural tooth, so patients can simply forget that they
have had the procedure done. A patient should care for a dental implant just as they care for their
regular teeth; by brushing and flossing at least twice a day.
4. What options of dental implants are there available?
There are several options available, depending on how many natural teeth a patient has remaining.
Single dental implants can restore a smile after an accident has knocked out a tooth. At times when
this is a front tooth or a tooth that is visible when a person smiles, a single dental implant can be a
great boost to their overall self esteem.
If a patient has a full set of dentures and is finding that they are becoming uncomfortable to wear, are
struggling to enjoy a quality of life that is hindered by restrictions bound upon them by having
dentures, then the all-on-four dental implant approach could be the perfect solution to their
problems.
This highly advanced method allows complete stabilization of a set of dentures by being attached to
only four dental implants. The implants allow the dentures to be complete and permanent fixture in a
patient’s mouth so they no longer have to be concerned about their teeth slipping when they speak or
worry about what foods they can eat.
There is so much information available regarding dental implants that can be discussed during your
next visit to your friendly and helpful dentist.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion
from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.