Dental Implants - The Good and The Bad
Dental implants are generally used to replace missing teeth. This can be one tooth, a couple of teeth or the complete mouthful of teeth. However, for each of those it is a slightly different procedure. The basis for each is the same. What are dental implants? Good question.
There are several ways to replace a missing tooth. You can use a bridge, a partial denture, or you can use a more permanent solution called a dental tooth implant. As the name suggests, something is implanted. However, it is not a tooth that is implanted, it is a metal rod. This rod is surgically placed into the jaw bone. Once the implantation has healed, a tooth is attached to the steel implant.
That's fine for one tooth. When a couple of teeth need replacing, it is quite common to have one more dental implants with the space between filled using a bridge. A bridge, as the name suggests, bridges a gap. This is a permanent fixture. Dental implants are placed into the jaw followed by tooth attachments. A bridge is then glued across the gap The third method used utilizes two different procedures. When replacing all the teeth in the mouth, you can either opt for a series of implants and bridges, or you can opt for approximately six implants with a denture then attached to those implants.
A dental tooth implant is a surgical procedure that is carried out by a periodontists. Because a steel rod is being inserted into your jaw bone, to be a candidate you must have a good bone structure and disease free gums. As you lose your teeth your jaw bone is slowly reabsorbed into the body. One of the benefits of dental tooth implants is the stability that it brings to jaw bones. It is also important to keep your mouth germ free after surgery - any surgery involving bones is always going to be a risk when it comes to bacteria.
Dental teeth implants are not pain free as some people suggest. The slightest bacteria in the mouth can lead to problems with the jaw and the implant. This can be painful for a short period but with regular and thorough dental hygiene can avoided. Once you have been through the procedures and come out unscathed you will find that having a dental implant was not that big an issue after all. What you will notice is that dental teeth implants are much more comfortable than dentures, even partial dentures.
Whilst dental teeth implants are expensive, they actually work out less expensive over time. Dentures need to be replaced, relined or repaired on a regular basis. This ongoing cost will exceed the cost of dental implant, more so the younger you are. If you have choice, and you can afford the upfront payment, go for the dental implant. If you lose bone over time, the option may not be available in later life.
Dental care is a family concern and should be undertaken as a family habit. Dental treatment in later life can be quite expensive with costs running into many thousands. Dental implants are just one example of expensive treatment costs. Read more on family dental health, umbilical cord blood banking and general family health at Just4Families.com
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By Les Scammell
