The Dental Implant Guide for All

For many years, the only option for tooth replacement has been dentures or partials. These removable false teeth have been the staple of cosmetic dentistry for many years. That was until the creation of dental implants.

Dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. They look, feel much like real teeth, and function better than the typical removable denture. For these reasons and many others, more and more people are looking into replacing missing natural teeth with dental implants.

Dental implants are made up of two distinct parts, the implant itself is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone and functions like the root of your natural teeth. This synthetic root will hold the replacement tooth or bridge in place. Unlike partial dentures, implants are not dependent on the surrounding teeth for support. There are two basic types of dental implants; there are conventional implants and mini implants.

Conventional Implant

Conventional implants are the type most often performed. This process can take up to nine months to complete as the dentist or oral surgeon must perform surgery to place the implant and then there is a healing time, where the implant is attaching to the bone. This is called Osseo integration and can take anywhere from 2-6 months, however technology is improving which is decreasing healing time significantly. Once the implant is integrated with the bone, your dentist will then place the crown over the implant.

Conventional implants are a very involved procedure. A good candidate must have healthy gums, be a non- smoker and have enough jaw bone to support the implant. In cases where the jawbone is not adequate bone grafts can be performed. This increases the overall amount of time it takes to complete your dental implants.

Mini- Implant

Recently mini implants have become available. Mini implants are less invasive than conventional implants because there is no surgery involved. In fact, in many cases a single implant can be performed in an hour or less at the dentist office. Mini dental implants can be inserted into a small pinhole in the gum. These implants are the perfect choice for those patients who do not have enough jawbone density for the conventional implant or for those who want to do away with dentures in the least invasive manner possible.

Finally, dental implants have come a long way since their inception and as technology; advances the procedures will become simpler and less expensive. Even now, the cost for dental implants is coming down and insurance companies are coming around to paying for parts of the procedure, such as the crowns that cover the implant.

If you have lost one or more teeth and dread the idea of a denture slipping and sliding around in your mouth, dental implants could be the solution for you. These teeth are the most like your natural teeth and look great. The success rate for dental implants in around 95% depending on your health and the placement of the implant. Overall dental implants are the best way to replace missing or decayed teeth.

Smiles by Davidian is the leading Raleigh Dentist . They also offer comprehensive dentistry services in Raleigh and Wakefield including state-of-the-art Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth whitening services.