According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over 3 million Americans have dental implants, and the number is growing by 500,000 annually. Why are dental implants so popular? Because they are the safest, most effective way to replace missing teeth.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone where teeth are missing. The posts serve as the roots of the new teeth. Once the posts have bonded with the jawbone, they provide a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
There are three types of dental implants:
1. Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most common type of implant. The surgeon places a metal frame into your jawbone. Over time, this integrates with your bones and provides a solid base for your artificial teeth.
2. Subperiosteal (on the bone): This type of implant is used when patients cannot wear conventional dentures because they do not have enough bone height in their mouths. A metal frame is placed on top of your existing bone, and over time, your bones grow around it to hold it securely in place.
3. Zygomatic: These types of implants are used when patients do not have enough bone in their upper jaw or if they have suffered severe trauma or disease in that area. Zygomatic implants are placed in your cheekbones rather than your jawbone.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many advantages over other tooth replacement options:
-They look and feel like natural teeth
-They allow you to eat and drink without restrictions
-They improve speech
-They don’t require special care; you brush and floss them just like natural teeth
-They’re durable; with proper care, they can last a lifetime!
-They preserve facial structure; because they fuse with your bones, they help prevent deterioration of the jawbone
-They provide support for adjacent teeth
Disadvantages of Dental Implants
The only real disadvantage of dental implants is that they require surgery to place them. However, this is a minor surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation (twilight sleep). Recovery time is usually short, and most people experience little to no discomfort afterwards. Additionally, dental implants are more expensive than other tooth replacement options, but they last much longer and their benefits far outweigh the costs!
Conclusion:
Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth because they look and feel like natural teeth, allow you to eat without restrictions, improve speech, and don’t require special care. Additionally, dental implants preserve facial structure and support adjacent teeth. The only downside of dental implants is that they require surgery to place them; however, this is a minor surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation (twilight sleep). Recovery time is usually short, and most people experience little to no discomfort afterwards. If you are considering tooth replacement options, be sure to talk to call us @ 905-823-7855 about dental implants!
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