Are Dental Implants in Your Future?

Dental implants: they’re not just for grandma anymore!

The dental implant market is exploding with a growth rate of 9.7 percent between 2014 and 2020. Why this sudden boom? One major reason is that the materials and technology behind implants are better and more affordable than ever before. This means that your dentist can give you stunningly beautiful teeth that look completely natural and offer comfort and functionality – all on a budget you can afford. The end result is a dazzling smile that will boost your self confidence and leaving you feeling fabulous.

Dental implants are simply artificial tooth roots that are placed into your mouth. Their primary purpose is to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. In other words, they act as an orthodontic anchor. Your dentist will take care to place the implant with ample time for your implant to ossiointegrate with your jaw’s natural bones. This will keep the implant and replacement teeth healthy and beautiful for many years.  You’ll find that most implants are  made of materials like titanium or zirconium, which can form an intimate bond to your facial structure. Once the dentist has confirmed that the implant has been fully integrated, you’re ready for your brand new replacement teeth or bridge.

Generally speaking, any person who has lost a tooth or multiple teeth is considered to be a candidate for dental implants. Going beyond this, though, a reputable dentist will look beyond your most basic needs and evaluate your overall oral health. It’s important for you to be in good health in order for dental implants to be truly compatible with your bone structure and allow for a successful procedure. Significant gum decay, uncontrolled diabetes, some cancers, radiation to the jaw, heavy drinking or alcoholism, and smoking can all create problems with the process, but your dentist will be the final judge. It’s important that you keep your dental professional informed about your medical history and any medications that you are currently taking to ensure that he or she has a complete, big picture look at what’s going on with your oral health.  With all of this information at hand, your dentist can make the best decision about your candidacy.

The where and how of dental implant placement is dependent upon a thorough assessment of your mouth and jaws, and how your teeth function within that space. This involves the consideration of your mouth and bite, in addition to similar details. From here, your dental professional will determine which route to take.

• Single tooth replacement — Here, an abutment is attached to the dental implant either immediately upon its placement or after a short period of healing. A crown abuts (joins) the implant in order to replace a missing tooth. The crown will have been custom fabricated to match your existing teeth and is cemented or screwed into the abutment for permanent placement.
• Fixed multiple tooth replacement — This is similar to a single tooth replacement in that a permanent abutment, whether custom crowns or bridgework, is created to match your existing teeth and affixed to the dental implants. This can also help to halt bone loss.
• Removable implant-supported replacement — If all of your teeth are missing from either the upper or lower half of your mouth, you may need to have numerous implants placed as a means of supporting a denture. For the lower portion of the mouth, two to six implants may be used, whereas the top portion demands no less than four implants. The denture may then have attachments that snap or click into place on the implants. In some cases, a milled bar can be used for added strength.

With the incredible advancements being made in the dental implant sector, there’s absolutely nothing standing between you and the smile of your dreams. Feel free to reach out to Dr. Bruce McArthur, DDS, for more information on implants.