What Is The Role Of Dental Implants In Oral Health?

What is the role of dental implants in cosmetic dentistry, and how can your dentist play a part?

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular in recent years, with the emphasis of the ‘Hollywood smile’ being placed more and more in the media and on social networking sites. Dental implants are one such way that people are choosing to improve their smiles, support their teeth and give their oral health a boost.

When people go to the dentist for a routine check-up and cleaning, they don’t often expect to have teeth removed. Patients can find a trip to the dentist overwhelming for this very reason because they’re not usually in tune with any dental issues that they may be experiencing, especially when pain is not involved. Dentists will always work to improve the condition of gums and teeth with their patients, but they will make a referral to a cosmetic dentist when things like dental implants are required. Missing teeth need support, and dental implants are becoming a more popular way to do this. On the whole, dental implants have made huge differences in the health and happiness of patients, and it’s one of those cosmetic additions that until you try it, you won’t know how much they can enrich your life.

Many people hear the phrase ‘cosmetic dentistry’ and think about the excessive teeth whitening, straightening and dental veneers that the media shows us. It’s so much more than that. It’s the preventative care put in place for things like gum disease. It’s fixing the appearance of crooked teeth to create a long term beautiful smile. It’s offering quality dental care alongside a regular dentist to those who may be afraid of being in the chair. Cosmetic dentistry offers so much to improve your smile, and if dental implants are going to do that for you, then why wouldn’t you invest in yourself?

If you have been considering implants to be in the place where missing teeth are, then you need to educate yourself on what they are and what they have to offer you and your oral health.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are designed to look like a natural tooth, and it needs to have two main parts:

• The crown, that sits above the gum and is visible.
• The root, that sits below the gum securely.

The crown is made to look and feel like a natural tooth, and your cosmetic dentist will work with you to make sure that the size and shape are exact to your mouth. It should feel like a part of you, and it should look the part, too. The implant is the replacement function of the natural tooth, and if you care for it correctly, it will last you a lifetime. The bone molecules are stimulated to adhere to the titanium of the implant, which provides stability required for the new crown to be installed. It can take 8-12 weeks for the bone to bond to the surface of the implant.

Missing a Single Tooth

When you are missing one tooth from your mouth, a single implant can be inserted to support one crown. It’s the ideal solution for your long term oral health, and treatment is simple when it’s carried out by highly trained surgeons.

Missing More Than One Tooth

Dentists that have to move more than one tooth in a row can create an implant bridge that involves installing two or more dental implants. These will provide the right stability, stimulating the bone to prevent more bone loss. Crowns are then made and connected to the implants, with a sealed center crown sitting over the gum. These are a simple solution to a lot of missing teeth in a row and act as a stable solution.

Missing All Teeth

The good news for those who need implants installed to cover the entire gum is that the dentist only needs to use 4-6 implants to support a bridge of all the missing teeth. Dental implants are a stable way to reduce pain and discomfort in the mouth, and it can also be a cost-effective solution compared to having a denture.

So, How Will Dental Implants Improve Your Oral Health?

We’ve put together some of the most remarkable ways that dental implants will improve your overall oral health. Think about these when you are considering having implants installed, and then think about the self-esteem boost that you’ll get when you can smile with ease and feel good about it.

• Bone Density Protection: The jawbones support your teeth, and the root of the tooth connects to the bone tissue, drawing stability from this foundation. A lost tooth means that the bone tissue suffers, as bone requires stimulation to retain its density. Without the root, the osseous tissue resorbs and dissolves into the bloodstream. In the extreme, this can lead to facial collapse, the risk of breakage and it can become too hard to restore the tooth in the future. The implants adhere to the jawbone with a titanium thread, which makes them easily able to integrate with the bone tissue. All of this leads to better bone density, which has a significant impact on your overall oral health.

• Periodontal Health: Gums are integral in your oral health, and they are more delicate than you think. If you’ve suffered from periodontal disease once, it’s likely you’ll experience it again. Missing teeth leave breeding grounds for bacteria and plaque can build up quickly. An implant fills the space, reducing the risk of gum disease.
• Reduced Cavities: After losing your teeth, the best thing to do next is to preserve the remaining surrounding teeth. An implant can help to fill out the area, avoid creating a bacteria trap and rebuild your smile – all with lowering the cavity risk along the way.

Dental implants can transform a smile and enhance your oral health. It’s always a conversation to have with your dentist if you are interested in cosmetic dentistry and the positives that dental implants can bring to your life.