Dental Implants
Dental implants replace a tooth with a carefully manufactured replica designed to function as a real tooth. These artificial teeth are implanted with a series of surgeries that carefully bind them to the gums so they take the place of the pre-existing roots as well as the tooth. Dental implants are used to replaced teeth ruined by disease, or damaged by accident.
When only a single tooth is missing or damaged, it can be replaced by a dental implant and a crown. This is often considered a preferable alternative to extensive bridgework, which requires dentists to drill or file surrounding teeth in order to support the cement bridge. Since dental implants mimic the functions of real teeth, they tend to last longer and do less long-term damage to the mouth, replacing the root and preventing the bone decay sometimes seen with bridges and other older procedures.
Surgery Process
The crown and the entire dental implant should not be confused. A crown is a replica tooth, designed to perform the function of the tooth and blend in with the rest of the teeth so you cannot tell it is there. The dental implant consists of both the crown and the base, which is attached to the bone through the gum. Since the base must be firmly attached and is intended to last the life of the patient, it often requires several surgeries to fully put into place. This makes dental implants expensive, and they can be more traumatic for the gums and mouth than more traditional teeth replacements.
First, a surgery is done to remove the damaged tooth and prepare the area for the implant. This is followed by a procedure that fixes the implant base to the jaw. It is attached through the gums where the original roots of the tooth once were and allowed to bond to the bone. This usually takes several months, since the jaw and gums must be accustomed to the implant without showing any signs of infection or complications--a process that requires the patient to take antibiotics and eat only certain foods. After the base has bonded to the jaw, another preparatory surgery is often performed to add an extension the base, a screw-like device that projects away from the gum and allows the crown to be set. The crown itself is a more replaceable component that is carefully fitted on the extension until it is tight against the gum and fits well with the natural teeth.
Implant Failure
Dental implant materials are made from titanium and designed to be permanent, but the implant can fail occasionally. Failure rates, depending on what part of the mouth the implant is in, range from 90 to 95 percent. This is usually caused by failure of the implant to bond properly with the jaw. Sometimes the bone is not dense enough to allow proper bonding, or the holes drilled to fit the implant improperly placed. Surgery techniques for dental implants are evolving, and some techniques place the implants while damaged teeth are being removed, allowing for a greater chance of integration.
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