Despite the massive and dramatic improvements in dental care over the years, it is alarming to note that many people still experience tooth loss caused by injury, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. For many years, the primary treatment options to replace missing teeth have been bridges and dentures.
Fortunately, a much better alternative has been introduced: dental implants. In essence, dental implant procedure involves the replacement of the tooth roots. Dental implants are used as a robust foundation for removable and fixed teeth. While dental implants have become very popular, many patients don’t still know much about it.
For instance, many people are clueless when it comes to dental implants cost or if they are good candidates for the procedure. Apart from the average dental implant cost, many are also not aware of the factors they need to take into account before considering the procedure.
If you think dental implants would be a great option for you, below are some of the factors you need to keep in mind:
Prosthetic Design
In cases where the adjacent teeth need to be restored, crowns are used to minimize the volume of the interdental space. This is especially advantageous if there is a ‘black triangle’ space left between the front teeth because of the absence of sufficient papilla.
In certain situations, it is considered ideal to restore the tooth using an ovate crown (also known as ovate pontic). It is possible to create a depression surgically in the gum’s ridge so it would appear like the prosthetic tooth is emerging out of the gum tissue rather than just resting on top.
As long as it is done accordingly, the crown can appear like the natural teeth and not a prosthetic one.
Implant Choice
One of the most difficult aspects of the dental procedure is choosing the correct number of implants and the kind of restorations and implants that should be used for those with more than one missing tooth. If anything, the dental implant procedure requires thorough planning and consideration.
For instance: one situation dentists might find challenging is replacing the upper canine and the adjacent lateral incisor. This can be attributed to the fact that the space can be relatively small. In similar cases, it is likely that a single implant will be placed in the canine region.
Optimal Implant Location
The physiology of wound healing after a tooth extraction can sometimes lead to receding gum tissue. As soon as the implant has been restored, it is possible for the restoration to be longer because of the absence of gum tissue that extends between the teeth.
Aside from ensuring the dental implant is placed in the most optimal place for osseointegration, it also needs to be situated in a place where it can address soft tissue deficiencies optimally. This is needed for optimal occlusion (how the upper and lower teeth come together).
When required, orthodontics might be recommended before dental implant placement to ensure the teeth that have shifted will be moved. This is also done to ensure the spacing of the teeth adjacent to the implant is just right. In some cases, respacing of the teeth can eradicate the need for possible bone enhancement procedures.
Soft Tissue Management
A dental implant specialist can easily manage the healing of the wound surgically to improve the gingiva. When necessary, the gum tissue is reconstructed using soft tissue grafts. While this can become an addition to the restorative process, this is considered wise as it can eventually lead to a beautiful and stunning smile.