From an esthetic point of view, the loss of teeth can have a psychological effect on people who might feel too self-conscious to smile or talk. Teeth loss can have a negative effect on eating by causing bite-related irregularities. Regardless of the nature of problems related to tooth loss, dental implants may offer a simple remedy with proven results.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are used as a part of artificial replacement dentistry in order to counter tooth loss. The loss of teeth can result from:
Trauma to the mouth
Poor oral hygiene
Implant dentistry has benefited greatly from scientific and technological advancements. However, it is not a defined specialty inside of dentistry and the procedure does not require a specific license by law in order to be performed by a dentist.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
In order to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, it is important to seek the advice of a dentist who is experienced in implantology. The dental implant procedure is surgery. Therefore, it is important to seek the advice of a dentist who is specifically trained in surgery of this nature.
The patient should also be aware that there are over 60 different implant companies and that if he or she goes to a different dentist for repair, that dentist may not have access to or have limited experience with the implants used by the previous dentist.
The dental implant procedure is performed to replace missing teeth. Implants can be performed anytime after adolescence when bone growth is complete.
Certain medical conditions, such as active diabetes, cancer, or periodontal disease, may require treatment before the implant procedure can be performed.
It should also be noted that in order to determine candidacy for a dental implant, it is necessary to evaluate bone density and quantity. In some cases, implants may not be advised if bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease and you are not a candidate for bone regeneration or grafting. In certain cases, bone grafting can be derived from your bone, a synthetic bone, or a bovine bone to provide the right support for the implant.