Dental Implants – What, Why And Types?

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants, in dentistry, are used for making a prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. A dental implant is a material that is surgically placed into the jawbone and fused with the bone over the span of a few months.

These dental implants act as a replacement for the root of a lost tooth. As a result, this artificial tooth root helps to hold a replacement bridge or tooth. Fusing a dental implant to the jawbone gives a near-natural look of the missing tooth as it stands firm on its own without affecting the teeth around it. Further, dental implants also have great stability.

This process of fusing the dental implant to the jawbone is called osseointegration. Most of the available dental implants are made of titanium as it allows them to integrate with the bone without the body recognizes it as a foreign object. With time, technology and science have made great progress, and this improved the outcomes of dental implant placement. Dental implants today are at a very good success rate.

Why Are Dental Implants Needed?

Dental implants can be used to replace either a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth depending on the patient’s condition. The main aim of teeth replacement in dentistry is to restore the function of the teeth as well as esthetics.

When it comes to tooth replacement, there are usually three options:

• Removable dental appliance (complete denture or partial denture)
• A fixed dental bridge (cemented), and
• Dental implant.

Dentures are a more affordable option for replacement teeth but are preferred the least because of the inconvenience the removable appliance causes in the mouth. Further, dentures can greatly affect one’s taste and sensory experience while having food. Dental bridgework, once, was a common restorative option before dental implant treatment came into play.

The main disadvantage of bridgework is that it depends on the other existing natural teeth for support. Dental implants are supported only by bone and do not affect the surrounding natural teeth. Taking a decision on which option to choose depends on various factors.

For Dental Implants, These Factors Specifically Include:

• Location of missing tooth or teeth,
• The health of the patient,
• Quality and quantity of the jawbone where the dental implant is to be placed,
• Cost, and
• Preference of the patient.

What Are The Types Of Dental Implants?

There have generally been two types of dental implants:

• Endosteal
• Subperiosteal

Endosteal dental implants refer to an implant that is in the bone, and subperiosteal dental implants refer to an implant that rests on top of the jawbone below the gum tissue. Subperiosteal dental implants are no longer in use today because of their poor long-term results in comparison to endosteal dental implants. You can get your dental implant surgery in Hyderabad for an affordable price.

While the basic function of dental implants is for teeth replacement, there are some areas in which implants come of help in other dental procedures. Due to their stability, implants can be used to support to hold a removable denture and give a more secure and comfortable fit.

In addition, for orthodontics procedures, mini-implants could act as Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD) in helping to move the teeth to the desired position. These dental mini-implants are small and are fixed temporarily to the bone while assisting in anchorage for teeth movement. They are removed after their function of assisting has been served. It is advisable to get your treatment from the best dental hospital in Hyderabad.