Do you have a tooth that is badly damaged and can’t be restored? If so, it may be time to consider dental implants.
Dental implants were originally designed as a more durable solution than dentures. They don’t require as much maintenance or care as dentures do, and they are more comfortable for most patients. A Bethesda dentist can tell you more about them and help determine if they are right for you.
People who have lost most of their teeth because of dental problems or accidents have several options today when they need new teeth. They can receive a denture or bridge to replace missing teeth. That is a good option for many people, but most of these do not look natural, and some patients get uncomfortable wearing them. That is where dental implants come in!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Like any other living tissue, bone needs a constant flow of nutrients in order to remain healthy and strong. If you lose a tooth, the bone around where it was anchored in your jaw gets weaker and can start to break down. Dentures are anchored in the gum tissue, which is not as strong as real bone. That means that dentures tend to shift and slide out of place, which can be very uncomfortable for many patients.
However, dental implants are anchored into your jawbone, so they look and feel more natural because they are actually part of your body. Dental implants are actually artificial teeth that are usually made of titanium, a metal that is biocompatible. A dentist can place the implants into your jawbone, and it takes less than an hour. Then, the dentist will have them anchored in place with a special screw.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of dental implants is that they also make chewing easier because they regain their shape and function once a person chews on them. They do not rot and fall out as dentures do over time. That gives people who have lost a lot of teeth back their ability to eat and chew normally again.
The most important part of dental implants is the way that they are anchored into your jawbone. After the dentist places them, it will take some time for your jawbone to grow around the anchors. The process can take from four to six months, but once the bone has grown around them, you will have real teeth that will look and feel great. On top of everything, dental implants are fairly durable and can last for decades if you take good care of them.