Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1

Dental implants are a safe and effective long lasting solution for men and women who are looking to replace broken, damaged, decayed or missing teeth. While this treatment can provide patients with a naturally beautiful smile, the procedure can be quite involved, and it is recommended that patients are well informed before undergoing treatment.

Here, some of the most commonly asked dental implant questions are asked and answered.

What are implants?

Dental implants are titanium alloy posts that are designed to act as a tooth’s root. These ‘roots’ are used to support crowns, fixed bridges or dentures. Titanium is a strong, lightweight material that effectively bonds with the bone of the jaw, making it both safe and long lasting.

What are the advantages over conventional tooth replacements?

Bridges, crowns and dentures can provide patients with adequate tooth replacement, but implants provide comfortable, stable, long-lasting support. Providing stable support for dental prosthetics allows patients to speak and chew with ease. Because implants do not rely on support from surrounding teeth, patients also see an increase in overall oral health.

Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?

Simply having missing teeth does not automatically qualify a patient for dental implants. There are specific criteria that need to be looked at before a patient can be considered for implantation:

General oral health. The condition of the remainder of a patients teeth and gums needs to be stable in order for dental implants to be successful. Areas of the mouth that may have gum disease, broken teeth or dental decay will need to be treated before an implant can be placed.

Oral health maintenance. Will a patient be able to maintain their oral health?  An implant’s success rate will depend on the patient’s ability to keep their teeth and gums clean. Your dentist will provide you with a suggested cleaning schedule and will advise you on how to care for your implants once they are placed.

Sufficient quantity and quality of bone. Implant success relies most on the quality and quantity of bone present in the jaw. Without the right amount of bone, placing implants can be difficult. If the sufficient amount of bone is not present, there is a range of techniques that can be used to increase bone quantity for successful implantation.

Do you have additional questions about dental implants?  Check back soon for our next installment of dental implant frequently asked questions.