While the improvements in dental care have been significant and dramatic over the years, many people still experience tooth loss. Tooth loss can be attributed to many reasons including tooth decay, injury, and periodontal disease. For many years, the treatment option available for missing teeth have been bridges and dentures.
Fortunately, they now have one great option available—dental implants. Compared to the other options, the dental implant procedure is still considered relatively new. In fact, while it has been the preferred option of many for years now, most people still don’t know much about it.
For instance, some people don’t know how much a dental implant cost. They also don’t know if they are good candidates for the procedure or what the procedure is really all about. Aside from not knowing how much a dental implants costs or if it’s right for them, many also don’t know what the procedure will require.
Essentially, the dental implant procedure will involve the replacement of the tooth roots. The dental implant will function as a robust foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable teeth. The replacement teeth will be designed to mimic the color, shape, and appearance of the natural teeth.
What to Remember When Getting Dental Implants
Are you considered a good candidate for dental implants? If you are, below are some of the important things you need to keep in mind:
Optimal Implant Location
The physiology of wound healing following a tooth extraction typically results in receding gum tissue. As soon as the implant has been restored, the restoration can be longer. This can be attributed to the absence of the gum tissue that should be extending between the teeth.
Apart from making sure the implant is in the most optimal place for osseointegration, it needs to be in a place where it can address soft tissue deficiencies optimally. This is important for optimal occlusion (or how the upper and the lower teeth come together). When required, orthodontics may be recommended before the implant is placed.
This is important so the spacing of the teeth that are adjacent to the implant is improved. At certain times, respacing of the teeth will eliminate the need for any bone enhancement procedures.
Bone Tissue Enhancement
The greater the amount of bone and soft tissue loss, the more difficult it can be to achieve the results you are looking for. When a tooth is missing, it can result to bone resorption in the vacated area. If a tooth has been missing, bone resorption can occur in the vacated area.
When there is no adequate bone to support the implant(s), the bone will be augmented through a bone graft. Depending on where the missing tooth is located, a surgical sinus lift or bone enhancement procedure may be recommended.
Implant Choice
One of the most challenging components of the dental implant procedure is the choosing of the right number of implants as well as the kind of restoration that is apt for patients with more than one missing tooth. Undeniably, the procedure will require thorough planning and consideration.
Case in point: in some instances, dentists might find it difficult to replace the upper canine and the adjacent lateral incisor because the space can be relatively small. In similar instances, placing a single implant in the canine region might be the recommended option.
Prosthetic Design
In some cases, when there is a need to restore the adjacent teeth, crowns will be designed to minimise the volume of the interdental space. This is especially recommended if a black triangle space is present between the teeth in the front because of the absence of sufficient papilla.
In some instances, restoring the tooth using an ovate crown or ovate pontic is recommended. A depression can be created in the ridge of the gum surgically so the prosthetic tooth will appear like it is emerging out the gum and not merely resting on the top.