Q & a on Dental Implants

ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR YOU?

If you have one or more missing teeth, which is true in over 50 million Americans, dental implants can help you just as it has helped over a million people worldwide.

WHAT CAN DENTAL IMPLANTS DO FOR YOU?

In addition to replacing your lost teeth, dental implants can improve your appearance, speech, and self-esteem. Unlike conventional dentures, they won't cause pain, slip or wobble when you are talking, laughing, or eating. Because they look and feel like real teeth, dental implants won't irritate the gums and prevent the jawbone from shrinking which usually occurs- when teeth are lost. You'll regain your natural smile and appetite. The result is comfort and convenience you won't find in conventional dentures and bridges.

HOW IS THE PROCEDURE DONE?

As their name implies, dental implants are artificial teeth which are implanted in the jawbone with the help of tiny screws. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia in a dentist’s office.

In the surgical phase, a hole is drilled in the jawbone and a hollow, threaded cylinder made of titanium is inserted there. After a three- to six-month healing period or enough time for the tissue of the jaw to grow around the implanted cylinder, a solid metal post or abutment is screwed into the cylinder. This acts as an anchor to which artificial teeth are attached by means of tiny screws. Dental implants may be fixed or removable, which is often the case when many or all of your teeth are missing.

HOW LONG WILL DENTAL IMPLANTS LAST?

Dental implants will last as long as 25 years or more provided you practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly. They need the same special attention you give to real teeth. To enjoy them for years, regular checkups with your dentist are important. He or she will tell you how to brush and floss properly to keep your gums, jaws, and teeth in good shape.

CAN ANYONE GET A DENTAL IMPLANT?

If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you can probably get a dental implant. Your dentist will help you decide whether you need one after a thorough examination of your jaws, mouth, teeth and gums as well as your physical condition. Your dental exam may include X-ray studies, a CT scan, and blood tests.

WHY SHOULD YOU SWITCH TO DENTAL IMPLANTS?

US President George Washington had trouble with his ill-­fitting dentures. Chances are, so will you like many other people who wear them.

The problem with dentures is that they are foreign to your mouth, making them a poor replacement for missing teeth. That's the reason a lot of people experience pain and can't tolerate them.

What's more, healthy adjacent teeth often have to be filed down or extracted to accommodate dentures or bridgework. This makes conventional restorative dental treatments unattractive to those with missing teeth.

ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS BETTER?

Dental implants have many advantages over conventional dentures. They are attached firmly to the jawbone with tiny screws so there is no danger that they will become loose or slip out while you are talking or laughing. Since they are as strong as real teeth, you can eat anything with dental implants. This eliminates embarrassing situations and other problems common in denture wearers.

WON'T DENTAL IMPLANTS IRRITATE THE GUMS LIKE DENTURES?

No, they won't. Dental implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates with human tissue, providing a good support for new teeth. Because dental implants look and feel likes natural teeth, they won't cause pain with chewing or speaking or irritate the gums.

IS IT DIFFICULT TO CARE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Dental implants should be cared for just like real teeth. Your dentist will instruct you how to care for them. With good oral hygiene and routine checkups, you can enjoy them for years.

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