Although dental healthcare has tremendously improved in recent years, tooth loss remains a persistent issue. Periodontal disease, tooth decay, and injury remain the leading cause of tooth loss among most Americans. The only treatment alternative for patients with missing teeth was dentures and bridges.
However, in recent years, dental implants have been introduced as an additional treatment option for missing teeth. An implant acts as a replacement for your natural tooth root to provide firm support for removable and fixed replacement teeth designed to match the appearance of your missing teeth. You should ensure you visit a qualified and experienced dentist to ensure you get the best dental implants in Chicago.
Why You Need Dental Implants
The following are reasons for dental implants:
- To restore digestion, speech, and chewing
- Replace missing teeth
- To offer support to a denture or bridge for enhanced comfort and firmness
- Dental implants restore your smile
- Remedy bite issues or joint pain that occur resulting from teeth shifting into spaces left by missing teeth
- Restore or enhance your facial tissues
Types of Dental Implants
There are two types of dental implants. These include:
- Endosteal implants
Endosteal implants are placed surgically directly into your jaw bone. A post is surgically connected to your original implant once the tooth’s surrounding gum tissue heals after the initial surgery. Finally, your artificial tooth, or more, is attached to your post, either grouped on a denture or bridge or individually placed.
- Subperiosteal implants
For patients without enough jaw bone, a subperiosteal implant is recommended. During the procedure, a metal frame is implanted below your gum tissue into your jawbone. The metal frame firmly fixes itself onto your jawbone as your gums heal. Posts attached to your frame protrude through your gums and are attached with artificial teeth.
The Procedure
Your dentist first makes an incision on your gum tissue and reflects a flap in that position. The jawbone is prepared using drills of varying sizes. After the preparations, your implant is screwed in place. To increase the probability of the procedure’s success, your dentist may recommend bone grafting. Your gum tissue is finally stitched back.
If you have enough bone volume and gingival tissue, the dentist may decide to perform flapless implant surgery on you. Your dentist will give you a healing period after the surgery, typically three months, before the crown is fitted. Temporary dentures or crowns are used during this period. In rare cases, a crown may be fitted immediately after the surgery.
The procedure is safe and painless. Local anesthesia is administered to patients before starting the surgery. If you experience intense anxiety or your case is complicated and lengthy, your dentist may recommend general anesthesia or conscious sedation. The procedure also boasts a high success rate of 98%.
As is the case with any surgery, dental implant placement poses minor health risks. These include drug reactions, infections, sinus problems, injury to adjacent structures, and numbness. These issues are rare and easy to treat.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The following are some of the benefits you enjoy from dental implants:
- They are comfortable
Unlike removable dentures, a dental implant becomes a permanent part of your dental structure, thus eliminating the discomfort associated with removable dentures.
- Enhanced self-esteem
By replacing missing teeth, dental implants restore your smile, making you feel more confident with yourself and your appearance.
- Improved speech
Poorly fitted dentures allow your teeth to slip within your mouth, resulting in slurred or mumbling speech. A dental implant does not permit teeth to slip, ensuring you speak well.
- Enhanced appearance
As stated earlier, dental implants improve the appearance of your smile by replacing missing teeth. A fantastic smile enhances your overall facial appearance.
- Easier to eat with
Dental implants are firmly fitted into your jawbone to make them as efficient as your natural teeth. Unlike sliding dentures, dental implants allow you to eat your favorite food in peace and with no pain.
- Durable
When cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- Enhanced oral health
The treatment does not involve altering surrounding teeth to offer support to the implant, as is the case with dental bridges. Since most of your teeth remain intact after the procedure, you enjoy long-term oral health. Similarly, individual implants improve oral health by allowing easy access between teeth.
In conclusion, dental implants are safe, convenient, and durable. To qualify for the procedure, you need to have sufficient bone volume and healthy gums. Patients without sufficient bone volume may apply for bone grafting. At Family Dental Care clinic, we offer affordable dental implant treatment. Our professional is among the best dentists on the Eastside.