Dental Implant FAQ A permanent solution to artificial teeth are dental implants which give outstanding results for those patients needing artificial teeth. Whether in need of full dentures or partial, dental implants can help secure them in place. Here at Mission Hills Periodontics we have the information you need to make your treatment decision.What are Dental Implants?Dental Implants are permanent fixated devices inside a patient's mouth which are made up of three separate sections. The implants are affixed to the jawbone beneath the gumline in the places vacated by tooth loss. Once anchored by a titanium screw, dental implants can provide the foundation for replacement teeth, keeping them from shifting or moving. The crown which is placed atop the implant resembles natural teeth in appearance and feel. Implants PlacementThe implants will eventually fuse to the bone. It is important to allow enough healing time for this to happen. Once the healing has occurred, bridges or dentures are able to be mounted to the dental implant. These types of dentures will not slip out of place. They are not the traditional dentures using gels and creams to adhere to the gum surfaces. When anchored to dental implants, patients will be excited to find they will stay in place while eating or chewing and while speaking. This removes the issue people have with dentures slipping out of place while performing everyday tasks. Who Can Have Dental Implants?Dental implant candidates need to have healthy supportive structures by way of healthy gums and jawbone. Because they are anchored to the jawbone it is important that the patient has enough bone mass to warrant the implant procedure. They also need to have good oral health habits. Dental Implant TypesThere are two different types of dental implants, either of which can provide a lasting solution to tooth loss but do so with different methods. The implant procedure most used at our office is the endosteal implant. These implants are surgically implanted into the upper and lower jaws. Once the gum tissue has healed, the post is applied to the implant. Then artificial teeth can be connected either as an individual tooth or as a permanently fixed denture. A subperiosteal implant is the second kind of implant. If there is not enough bone structure to secure a traditional implant, this is another option. A metal frame is placed over the jawbone rather than screwed into it above the gumline. Given time, the framework bonds to the bone. Posts are then secured in place and the artificial teeth can be connected as mentioned above either as individual teeth or a complete denture. We would need to determine which one best suits your needs before recommending one over the other. There are a lot of options with regard to dental implants. Which ones are best suited for you and your situation? Come find out with our dental examination and consultation at Mission Hills Periodontics. We are always available to answer your questions or concerns. You can give us a call at (619) 356-5989 to get all the information necessary to make an appropriate decision with regard to your dental implant procedure. |
