There are many reasons why dental implants might be needed. Whether you lose a tooth from decay, trauma, or another reason, the loss will start a cascading effect. Your remaining teeth will begin to adjust almost immediately to the vacancy, shifting into the gap. As your teeth shift you may experience a change in your bite and your ability to chew food properly may be affected. All of these effects can be avoided by seeking immediate treatment from a dentist like Dr. Zin in Woodland Hills, CA. This article will discuss reasons you might need dental implants and the truth about the dental implant procedure.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are surgically implanted medical devices that replace missing teeth. They include a titanium screw that is attached directly to the jaw. Then an abutment, or connector, is installed, which secures the replacement tooth on the titanium screw.

Often useful in single tooth replacement, implants can also replace all the teeth when necessary. Titanium is used as the anchor because it will fuse to the jawbone, forming a permanent replacement. This makes implants more reliable than standard dentures for tooth replacements.

Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, including coloration, so they are imperceptible. Implant patients can do all the normal daily activities, including eating as if they had all their natural teeth.

Why Are Dental Implants Needed?

The titanium screw serves as the root of a replacement implant. They don't move or shift or cause damage to the bone. The manmade materials are, in some ways, more reliable than natural teeth. They don't decay, although you still need to brush and floss to keep them clean and avoid gum infections.

On the fence about whether or not to get an implant? You may be a great candidate for implants if:

• You have one or more teeth missing.
• Your jawbone has reached full growth.
• Your jawbone can secure the implants.
• You can support a bone graft if necessary.
• The overall condition of your oral health is good.
• You don't smoke or chew tobacco products.

The process may take several months from beginning to end, so you definitely need to be committed. If you don't want dentures, but want to have the benefits of a full set of teeth, implants are a viable option.

How a Missing Tooth Affects Your Jaw Structure

People lose teeth for many reasons. Poor oral hygiene, trauma, or even certain medications can cause tooth loss. We mentioned earlier that a lost tooth lays the groundwork for cascading problems that develop over time. By replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant, those continuing problems never develop. Dental problems can affect your entire life. The main reasons to get dental implants include:

Protecting the jawbone: Your teeth work as a team. As you chew food, the action creates stimulation for the jaw which serves to keep it healthy. If you are missing a tooth, that area of your jaw does not receive stimulation and may begin to deteriorate. This can escalate into additional health problems.

Preventing other teeth from shifting: When you have a gap in your teeth, any crowded or crooked teeth will automatically shift to fill that gap. While this may be a welcome respite if you have a crowded jaw, the shifting can also change your bite structure. The change in your bite may cause problems eating or speaking.

Keep your smile looking great: Although a missing tooth in the back of your mouth may not be noticeable in your smile, the deterioration of the bone may cause the physical structure of your face to change over time. You may look older as a result, or develop a sunken look.

Replacing a missing tooth or teeth with an implant is a great way to maintain your youthful appearance.

Are There Risks Involved with Dental Implant Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Oral surgery is no different. Although surgical problems with dental implants are rare, they are something patients should be aware of. Direct surgical risks include:

• Possible infection at the implant site.
• Potential damage or injury to other teeth, blood vessels, or jawbone.
• Possible nerve damage resulting in tingling sensations around the mouth.
• Slight risk of sinus problems if the implant extends into the sinus cavity.

Brushing and flossing around the surgery area may be difficult at first due to discomfort or sensitivity. It is important to watch for signs of infection during the healing process. Some factors can delay proper healing such as uncontrolled diabetes and smoking.

Can You Have More Than One Dental Implant?

Yes. Dental implants can be useful to replace one missing tooth or all of them. Once installed, dental implants perform and look exactly like natural teeth. Whether you need one tooth replaced, ten, or all of them, dental implants are a viable option.

How Are Dental Implants Installed?

As we mentioned, dental implants require the surgical placement of a titanium post. The post is screwed into a hole drilled into the jawbone where it will eventually fuse to the bone. This part of the process is a surgical procedure. If your jawbone won't support implants, you may need a bone graft to strengthen the area.

The implant process may take several months. Because the bone needs to heal tightly around the titanium screw, the healing time is an important part of the entire process. During the surgery, the oral surgeon will make a small cut into the gum tissue to expose the bone. After drilling into the bone, the titanium screw is placed. The screw will act as the root for your implant and provide the necessary jawbone stimulation.

While waiting for the jawbone and titanium screw to fuse, called osseointegration (oss-ee-oh-in-tuh-GRAY-shun), you may have a temporary placeholder denture. The purpose of the placeholder is to keep surrounding teeth from shifting during the healing process.

Once osseointegration is complete, the abutment is placed. This process adds a connector to the top of the screw in order to attach the crown. This procedure is classified as minor out-patient oral surgery and may require local anesthesia. Once this minor procedure heals (about two weeks), you will be ready for your permanent replacement tooth.

Diamond Dental Spa -- Your Implant Specialists

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and why dental implants are needed, please get in touch with Diamond Dental Spa in Woodland Hills, CA. Dr. Zin Kohan and the entire staff are specialists in cosmetic dentistry procedures. To schedule an appointment, you may use our Scheduling Widget or call the office at (818) 650-1612. We look forward to hearing from you.