Dental implants have proven to be the most natural looking and functionally effective option for the treatment of missing teeth and supporting structures, being stronger and more durable then alternative bridges and dentures. Implants look and function like regular teeth while preserving the quality of the neighboring teeth and keeping bone and gum tissue from collapsing.
Candidates for implants have good overall oral health and adequate bone, which must be determined by a doctor. Smokers are usually advised to quit prior to undergoing this procedure. Patients must also be committed to practicing good ongoing oral hygiene. While implants themselves are not subject to decay, they can be adversely affected by infection of the surrounding gums.
Careful selection of an oral surgeon for this expensive and specialized procedure is important. A dental implant is held in place with a small screw that extends into the jaw bone. A doctor must use great skill in drilling the pilot hole in order to avoid nerve or other damage to the face or jaw structure. For best results, your surgeon will likely work as a team with other specialists, including a periodontist and a prosthodontist who will create the crown.
Timing is important when planning this procedure. Surgery is performed in either a dental office or hospital and can take several hours. Recovery can take up to seven days during which time a patient will need to eat soft foods. After the initial screw is inserted, a wait of up to six months can be required before the final procedure for the screw to completely anchor and heal.
A temporary crown is put into place during this process, called osseointegration, in which the titanium screw bonds irreversibly to living bone tissue. After that phase, a permanent crown can be installed on the screw. This step can also take a couple months as several fittings may be required.
Often, best results can be achieved when planning to start the implant process soon after removal of the original tooth. Work with your doctor to select the best timing for your procedure. One of the most common reasons for dental implant failure is the improper completion of the healing process.
Additional risks include infection or sinus problems. However, despite the risks, dental implants have a 90 percent or higher success rate, with certain placements having a better success rates than others.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4094573
No comments:
Post a Comment