Losing one’s teeth as they age is not uncommon, but is not something most people look forward to. For those who underestimate the prescribed annual visits to the dentist, they may be at a higher risk for tooth loss than those who take their dental hygiene seriously. While no one wants to look ugly or awkward because of a few missing teeth, tooth loss can also bring about other unwanted consequences such as gum disease, shifting teeth, unstable bite, and overloading of teeth.
When the inevitable comes and one needs to part with a tooth or several teeth, there are three options to remedy this incident. One of them is getting dentures, which is basically getting a set of plastic teeth that can be removed when not in use. Most people find this a bit bothersome over time as they experience difficulty in chewing. When a tooth is gone, the bone underneath that tooth also disappears, making it harder to chew as the dentures are not supported properly.
Another option is the bridge, which takes out the inconvenience of removing dentures every so often. The downside of opting to use bridges for teeth loss is that it can also affect the other teeth and lead to more damage. Often, the teeth adjacent to the gap have to be cut, and if the bridge is not secured properly is can fail and loose more teeth.
Last but not the least, there is the dental implant. Dental implants are replacements for the root of the teeth and are usually made out titanium metal. Specially trained dentists plant these replacements into the jawbone through surgery. While it sounds very meticulous and costly, dental implants may the best option out of all three when it comes to tooth loss because it enables the person to resume normal functions of their teeth such as chewing and is proven to be better for their health.
To get a dental implant, a person must consult their dentist first. A thorough assessment by the dentist will be made to make sure that the jawbone can handle the implants. The dentist will gather records to prove that the bone is strong and there is enough to support the implants: a patient will need to undergo numerous X-rays studies, casts and diagnostic tests in order to fully qualify. The jawbone needs to be thick and strong enough to support arduous chewing, or else the implants will not function well. If the jawbone is too soft or thin, bone grafting may be done prior to the surgery.
The dentist will then show how the results the implant will look like, and once the patient is comfortable with it, the actual surgical procedure begins. Surgery can take a long time depending on how many teeth will be replaced, but rest assured that the patient will not experience excruciating pain due to anesthesia, but probably just a bit of swelling and discomfort post surgery.
The complete healing process takes about three to six months as the implant needs time to fuse with the jawbone. It is indeed a long and agonizing process, but the results are definitely worth it in the long run.