Dental implants are an ideal solution for certain patients. Only a dentist can determine the fitness of a patient for dental implantation. Therefore, anyone interested in this needs to schedule a visit with a dental professional to have a checkup and consultation.
Who Needs Dental Implant Services?
Since there are several functions of dental implants, many types of patients may need them. These include:
- Patients who lost a tooth
- Those who need to replace several teeth
- Patients who want to have anchors for bridges
- Individuals who want anchors for their dentures
The above types of patients indicate the many purposes of dental implants. Anyone who falls into one of the above categories should find out if permanent replacements for teeth are possible.
To qualify for dental implant services, the patient will have an exam. During this evaluation, the dentist looks at the health and amount of bone in the patient’s jaw.
Some people may not have enough natural bone in their jaw to allow for the implant. However, this situation does not disqualify them from getting implants. Instead, they may need an additional procedure to graft additional bone to the site. This dental procedure will only extend the time required from start to finish. However, the permanence of the structure makes any extra time required worthwhile.
What Is the Function of Dental Implants?
While the main purpose of dental implants is tooth replacement, these fixtures do much more. They can also retain the bone, prevent gaps, and hold dentures.
For example, patients who choose a dental implant can preserve their natural bone. When a tooth falls out or when someone wears dentures for years, the bone in the jaw beneath the missing teeth wears away from disuse. However, the base of a dental implant triggers bone to grow around it. Therefore, another purpose of dental implants is to help the patient keep more bone.
Second, extracted teeth leave a gap. This gap is not healthy because it can impact speaking and eating. However, it may also lead to movement of the other teeth. Teeth naturally will space themselves evenly in the space along the jaw they have. Therefore, if more space opens, the teeth will move to fill in space. Unfortunately, this can cause misalignment, which a patient may need dental braces to correct. By getting an implant, the patient avoids needing braces. Therefore, another function of dental implants is preventing the need for braces.
Lastly, implants can hold dentures in place. These implant-anchored dentures don’t cover the roof of the mouth. Consequently, they don’t come loose when speaking, don’t need glue for holding, and look more natural.
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgeries?
Dental implant services include multiple procedures to prepare the jaw and fit the components of the implant. The surgeries may require a few months from the initial consultation until the finished crown goes into place. But, unlike bridges, which may only last ten years, implants remain intact for the rest of the patient’s life.
First, the patient has a dental extraction. If they need bone grafting to supplement the jaw, they may have this procedure as a separate surgery. After healing, the dental surgeon will place the implant base inside the bone. This base needs to have bone naturally grow around it to secure it into place and make it permanent. Therefore, the dentist covers the base with a piece of gum tissue to protect it.
Following healing and bone growth around the base, the dentist places the post, which the crown attaches to. Lastly, they will place the specially designed crown on the post to complete the tooth.
Connect with Our Dentists at Lovett Dental Beaumont for a Consultation
Dental patients interested in whether they can get dental implants should connect with us at Lovett Dental Beaumont. Contact us on our site or phone us at 409-924-8100 to set up a visit with one of our stellar team of dental professionals. By providing our patients with implants and several other dental services, we can help them show off great-looking smiles from childhood through adulthood.