Before dental implants became available, only the crowns of teeth could be replaced, not crowns and roots. Traditional bridges have long been the standard for replacing one or two lost teeth in a row. Bridges hold one or two solid replacement teeth between two dental crowns, forming what looks like a bridge. The crowns are placed on top of healthy teeth on either side of the lost tooth/teeth. Traditional bridges are still widely used.
Implants, however, offer a better solution. In today’s blog, we’ll explain what implants are, why they’re better than traditional prosthetics, and how you can find out if you’re a good candidate for implants. In addition to single-tooth replacement, you’ll learn about denture stabilization with dental implants, as well.
What’s a dental implant?
An implant has three components: the screw, or post; the abutment; and the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture).
An implant procedure has three phases:
- Outpatient surgery for implant placement
- Outpatient surgery to reveal implants and secure abutments
- Attachment of implant restoration(s)
After the initial surgical placement, the patient will wear a temporary restoration for about nine months while the jawbone integrates with the implant post. This process is called osseointegration. An implant procedure usually takes nine months to one year, from start to finish. With good oral health, good oral hygiene, and the absence of accidents, implant posts can endure a lifetime of use.
Why are implants better?
As independently anchored prosthetics, implants anchor into the jaw like natural teeth roots. In contrast, traditional bridges are anchored by crowns to healthy teeth. This causes additional stress on the crowned teeth and can ultimately contribute to their failure. Implants rely only on the jawbone and regenerated connective tissues for support.
Additionally, to maintain bone density, the jawbone requires either a natural tooth root or a dental implant post. Over time, the jaw will shorten, making the face appear aged. This, of course, also occurs when teeth are not replaced.
Lastly, since implants can endure a lifetime, they don’t require replacement. The attached prosthetic may need to be replaced at some point, but the implants will not.
How do implant dentures work?
Traditional lower dentures are notorious for shifting, wobbling, and slipping out of place, especially when the wearer eats a meal. The resulting embarrassment may lead to the patient avoiding public dining, which can trigger feelings of loneliness and/or depression.
In contrast, implant-retained dentures, also called implant dentures or overdentures, won’t move at all. They snap onto four to six implant posts for optimal stability. (Upper implant dentures are also available, though they are less common than lowers.)
Implant denture patients can eat what they want, when they want, without any embarrassment! No foods are off the menu for implant patients. Traditional denture wearers cannot eat chewy, hard, or stringy foods.
Implant-retained dentures can be removable or fixed, depending on the patient’s needs and lifestyle.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
Most patients with good oral and overall health make great implant candidates. Some medications, health conditions, and health treatments can disqualify a person from having implants. Also, patients with low bone density may need a bone graft to solidify the jaw, in preparation for implant surgery.
To find out if you qualify for dental implants, call Dr. Julie Glud today at Dental Care of Lombard at 630-629-5700. Dr. Glud will review your x-rays and dental records, ask about your current health and health history, and talk with you about dental implants. She and our team members will be happy to answer all of your questions, including those about insurance and financing. Call us today and see if dental implants could improve your quality of life!
