A dental implant is a titanium (or
other biocompatible material) implant, inserted into the jaw's bone in the
place of a missing tooth root. This artificial root will form a solid
foundation of a crown, bridge or denture and restore both aesthetic and functionality.
The solution is long-lasting, works and feels like one of their teeth.
Indications of Dental Implants
● Single Missing Tooth: In the cases
where the loss of a single tooth occurs due to trauma, decay or any other
factors, an implant is the best choice. It does not alter the adjacent teeth
(healthy ones) like a traditional bridge does, as it necessitates grinding down
the neighbouring healthy teeth.
● Several Missing Teeth: Implants can
hold a bridge in place, so a partial removable denture is unnecessary. This is
more stable and has more chewing power.
● Full Arch of Missing Teeth: Complete
Arch of Missing Teeth: A complete arch of missing teeth can be fixed on
implants, which is also called the All-on-4 or All-on-4 concept. This helps
avoid the slipping and discomfort synonymous with even seeing conventional
dentures, significantly altering how much harder a person can live.
● Jawbone Preservation: When a tooth
is lost, stimulation to the bone supporting the teeth (the jawbone) ceases,
which can cause the jawbone to resorb, or melt away. With an implant, a person
receives the required stimulation, which prevents bone resorption and preserves
the correct structure of the face.
Effects of Dental Implants
● Enhanced Chewing Ability: This is
because implants enhance comfortable and practical chewing capability of
various foods, owing to the restored good and stable bite. This can result in
improved digestion and nutrition.
● Improved Aesthetics and Speech: The
implants fill up the vacated space, resulting in the loss of one or more teeth,
making lost teeth invisible by offering a natural-looking smile. They also
accentuate facial structures to avoid a sunken look. Speech can become clearer
as well with a complete set of teeth.
● Greater Confidence: Restoring a
gorgeous and working smile can be life-changing psychologically. Patients noted
a high increase in self-confidence and improvement in their social life.
● Saving of Adjacent Teeth: Implants
are objects in themselves and do not involve modification of adjacent teeth,
unlike the case with dental bridges. This indicates that the neighbouring
healthy teeth are not impacted, hence their long-term health and structure are
retained.