What Are Dental Implants? An Inside Look Into Their Use, Types, and Benefits

Jul 16, 2020

Regardless of the strides that modern dentistry has made, many people still have missing teeth.

Statistics show that old age is not the leading cause of missing teeth. This means that most people who lose their teeth, lose them due to unnatural causes. Irrespective of the reasons, there are replacement options, such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants that can help you to replace your missing teeth. However, out of all the restorative options that our prosthodontist in Calgary offers, dental implants are the most effective and beneficial. With implants, you can replace your missing teeth and your smile will be as good as new. Let’s peer a little deeper and see what implants are all about.

Dental Implants, In a Nutshell

Dental implants in NW, Calgary are titanium-posts that are inserted in the jaw to replace an entire tooth or teeth. What gives implants an edge is that they are the only restoration that can replace the entire tooth from the crown to the root. Our prosthodontist in Northland recommends them because they mimic the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth, while also being the only replacement option that also preserves the surrounding bone. When a tooth is lost or removed, the surrounding bone will immediately begin to shrink away. This bone shrinkage continues over time even if the missing tooth is replaced with a bridge or denture. However, if a Calgary dental implants is placed, the surrounding bone is effectively stimulated, preserving its integrity.

Dental implants are typically made of three parts:

Titanium post. This is the screw-like implant that is surgically inserted in the jawbone
Abutment. This is the connector that links the titanium post to the artificial tooth
Prosthesis. This is usually a crown, bridge or denture, depending on how many teeth are being replaced

Versatility of Dental Implant Restorations

Here are the most common uses for dental implants:

Single tooth replacement

Implant crown – If only one tooth is being replaced, a crown would be placed onto the implant to function just like (or better) than the tooth that was lost

Multiple tooth replacement

Implant bridge – This is an excellent option to replace three or more missing teeth. An implant bridge would be placed onto two or more dental implant near me
Implant denture – Implant dentures come in many types, depending on how many teeth you are missing, the style of denture you prefer, and your budget. They can replace a few missing teeth with a partial implant denture, or an entire arch of missing teeth with a complete implant denture

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Almost anyone can be eligible to get implants, however, our prosthodontist near you will have to check whether your gums are healthy and if you have enough healthy bone to hold the implant in place. Also, you must be willing to commit to several months of dental visits, since it takes a minimum of five months to finish the process, largely due to healing time.

It is not advisable to get dental implants if:

You suffer from an uncontrolled disease such as heart disease and diabetes
You are a heavy smoker
If you have undergone radiation treatment of the area where the dental implant will be placed, you may have to undergo hyperbaric treatment prior to implant placement

Why are Dental Implants the Preferred Option?

If you have lost one tooth, all your teeth, or anywhere in between, dental implants in NW, Calgary can replace them. An implant is the only option that depends on your bone for anchorage and looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.

Benefits

You will be able to chew food better because they function like your natural teeth
They are a part of you; hence they will be more comfortable
Implants can last as long as your natural teeth with proper care
Your speech will be improved since you will not have gaps
They are the only option that preserves the surrounding bone

With implants, you will never feel as though you ever lost teeth. If you need a prosthodontist in Calgary, contact us at Northwest Prosthodontics, to book an appointment.

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