It’s a sad truth that many of us are not happy with
the way our smiles look. Some people are so embarrassed by the look of their
teeth that they feel they must cover their mouths, rarely smile, or avoid
social contact altogether.
One of the biggest reasons for people not being
happy with their smiles is missing teeth, or a gap in the teeth which
significantly affects the look of a person’s smile. Gaps or missing teeth can
seriously affect your confidence, but they don’t have to affect the rest of
your life. Dental implants are a great solution for fixing gaps or replacing
missing teeth, and the results are so seamless that afterwards your smile will
look as good – if not better – than new.
About
Dental Implants
There are many types of
dental implants, the most widely used of which are comprised of three parts; an
artificial root made from titanium, a connector, and the artificial tooth
itself which is made of ceramics. The implants themselves are available in two
sizes; regular and mini – the latter differing from the former in that it is
much smaller (akin to a toothpick) and utilises a rubber ring which behaves
like a socket.
The ceramic crown which is attached to a dental
implant is the part which will be seen in your mouth. Crowns are shaped to look
just like real teeth and are carefully colour matched to your existing teeth
for a natural finish. Many people choose to have their teeth whitened in conjunction
with having a dental implant fitted, so their finished smile will be
instantaneously perfect.
How
Dental Implants Work
The first part of the process of fitting a dental
implant will involve your dental practitioner placing the artificial root directly
into the bone of your jaw. This will involve drilling into your jaw under a
local anaesthetic. Discomfort during this procedure is mild and almost all
patients report no problems. Once the root is placed an amount of time will be
given to allow the bone to grow onto the surface of the implant, after which a
crown or crowns may be attached. In the case of mini dental implants a crown
will be attached immediately. Mini crowns have a very high survival rate, which
makes them a popular choice for many patients.
Considerations
for Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery is only viable if the patient
has enough good quality bone in their jaw to be able to support the implant.
Patients who indulge in activities which may be harmful to their gums – such as
smoking – are also less likely candidates for dental implants and may have
required one in the first instance due to poor gum
quality.
The cost of being fitted with dental implants varies
from person to person and can depend on a number of factors, such as how many
implants you’ll need, whether your jawbone is strong enough – some patients opt
for bone graft surgery at extra cost – and the type and location of
practitioner you go to for your dental implant surgery.
