How Do Dental Implants Work? Article

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How Do Dental Implants Work?

When you are missing teeth, you are faced with both an awkward smile, and the potential for serious functional issues. Not only can missing teeth impact the tension and strength of your bite, adjacent teeth will, over time, begin to slip into the place of missing teeth.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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This can result in changes to your bite, and even alter the shape of your jaw and face.

There are several options for replacing missing teeth, but dental implants remain the only permanent one. In addition to being a permanent solution, dental implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, minimizing the impact on your remaining teeth, and providing the strongest, most secure, and aesthetically pleasing option available today.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are surgically implanted into your jaw. Once implanted, they undergo a process called osseointegration, in which your jawbone accepts the implant as a natural tooth root. This process can take up to six months, but is necessary to provide a secure and permanent hold for your false tooth. In some cases, dentists may recommend what is called "immediate loading" or putting a crown on your dental implant right away. This is normally only done when your bite places very little force on the tooth being replaced.

Once your implant has been accepted by your jaw, your dentist will place a customized tooth crown over the implant. This crown will be colored, shaped, and sized to match your adjacent teeth, and will serve the same function as the tooth it is replacing.

It is important to remember that your implant is permanent, but your crown may not be. Dental crowns are easy to take care of –requiring no more attention than your natural teeth- but may also become impacted by decay, broken by trauma, or worn down by use. Fortunately, dental crowns can easily be replaced by your dentist should that become necessary.

One of the primary benefits of dental implants is that, once accepted by your jaw, they are actually stronger than your natural tooth roots. This means that they will provide a strong and secure hold for your artificial tooth without the need for additional procedures. Additionally, dental implants strengthen your jaw, helping prevent jaw collapse, a disorder commonly associated with other forms of tooth replacement such as dentures and dental bridges.

The process for placing dental implants can take up to one year, but most patients find them well worth the wait. If you are missing one or more teeth, talk to your dentist about dental implants to see if they are the best option for you.

If you live in or around Calgary, Alberta and would like to learn more about dental implants, please visit the website of experienced Calgary implant dentist, Dr. Mehbs Ali for additional information.

About Author

Calgary dentist Dr. Mehbs Ali provides a variety of cosmetic dentistry and neuromuscular procedures, including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, smile makeovers, sleep apnea treatments, and TMD treatments for patients in Alberta.

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