What To Know About Dental Implant, The Basics

Dental implants are permanent false teeth designed to look like your other teeth. They’re a popular alternative to dentures or bridges, and the American Dental Association considers them “one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years.”

HOW DO DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK?

Source: Teeth Talk Girl
Dental implants are surgically affixed to your jaw, unlike dentures and bridges, which don’t feel or look entirely real and must be removed and cleaned outside of your mouth daily. In place of the roots your native teeth have, the new tooth is held in place by a surgical screw. The crown is carefully selected to match the shape and color of the surrounding teeth so it blends right in.

There are two basic types of implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are surgically attached directly to the jawbone with a titanium post, and the entire implant structure (apart from the crown itself) is hidden under the gums and looks and feels like any other tooth. Subperiosteal implants consist of a metal frame that fits onto the jawbone rather than screwing into it, and these are a good option if you lack the bone structure necessary for endosteal implants.

WHO ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR?

Dental implants could restore your smile more effectively if you’ve lost teeth due to injury or disease. However, not everyone with missing teeth is a candidate. Just as with real teeth, oral health is crucial to successful implants. Before you get an implant, you need good, strong bones and healthy gums to support it, and once it’s in, you have to keep it clean by brushing and flossing.

BUT WHAT ABOUT BRACES?

If you don’t already have your implants but need orthodontics to straighten your teeth, it’s usually best to do braces first. Because implants are screwed into your jawbone, they will not move, making them excellent anchors to help move your other teeth where they need to go—but only if they’re in the right place. If not, your existing implants may need to be removed and reattached after you finish your braces.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS!

If you’re considering getting dental implants or know someone who is, we can answer any questions about them. We’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams! Simply contact the Best Dentist in Joplin, MO, at Joplin Family Dental to schedule a dental appointment.