What are single tooth dental implants?
Single tooth dental implants are dental implants used to replace a single lost tooth. If you lose a single tooth due to gum disease or dental trauma, a single tooth implant can replace the lost tooth’s entire root structure. It’s often said that tooth implants replace the missing or lost tooth, but that’s not exactly accurate. Implants replace the lost tooth’s underlying root structure, and then a dental crown or prosthetic is attached over the implanted root.
As such, dental implants don’t just place a prosthetic over your gums — they make the implant an integrated part of your dental anatomy. The dentist drills titanium or ceramic implant into the jawbone underneath the missing tooth. Over time, your bone tissues grow around the implant, making it a firmly rooted part of your dental anatomy. As such, single tooth dental implants look and act just like natural teeth.
What are full mouth dental implants?
While single tooth dental implants replace individual teeth at different places in your mouth, full-mouth dental implants replace an entire arch. If you’ve lost all or most of your teeth in your upper or lower arch, you can opt for full-mouth dental implants to replace all of them. In that case, the dentist will screw the implants into several regions around your jawbone and then screw the prosthetic or dental bridge over all the implants.
One of the best options for full-mouth dental implants is an all-on-4 implant system. This is a type of restorative procedure wherein the dentist needs to drill only four to six implants into strategically chosen locations around your jaws. Once the implants become a firmly rooted part of your dental anatomy, the dentist attaches a natural-looking denture over the four implants. The denture is attached firmly to prevent it from loosening. This is a preferable option because it’s not as invasive or expensive.
What are my dental implant options?
You can get single tooth implants for your individual teeth, or you can get full-mouth or all-on-4 implants for an entire arch. Your dentist will examine your dental structure and anatomy to recommend the ideal treatment options. Patients who have lost most of their teeth on one arch often ask about extracting the remaining teeth to get full-mouth implants, but most dentists advise against removing healthy teeth. You should defer to your dentist’s opinion on the subject — they might even offer alternative restorative solutions suitable for your needs.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
The most important advantage of dental implants is that they replace the entire root structure of the missing tooth. Most restorative options, like bridges and crowns, only replace the visible parts, so they’re not firmly fixed into your jawbone. Meanwhile, dentures have a notorious reputation for slipping out of your mouth at inopportune moments, such as while talking or eating, leading to embarrassment. Dental implants don’t have any such problems.
Once you get the dental implants, they become a part of your body and don’t slip out. They look and feel just like natural teeth, indistinguishable from all the surrounding teeth. Furthermore, the dentist doesn’t need to modify the surrounding teeth to attach them, as they often need to do with dental bridges. As such, dental implants are the ideal restorative options for people who are missing some or all of their teeth — far better than most other dental restoration options.
Dental implants are also far more comfortable than other dental restoration options. You don’t have to worry about special maintenance, such as flossing under the implants or using special solutions. You have to maintain normal oral hygiene, just like any other teeth, i.e., brush and floss regularly. You should also continue seeing your dentist for dental cleanings, but that’s about it. There’s no special maintenance.
However, dental implants only have three points against them. First, they’re extremely costly, making them slightly inaccessible to some people. Second, they require dental implant surgery, and the entire process takes several months. Third, you can only get a dental implant if you have sufficient jawbone to support the implant. If you’ve waited too long after the loss of your tooth, you may not have sufficient jawbone, in which case you might need bone grafting procedures for regeneration before getting dental implants. Your dentist will examine your teeth and jaws to determine if you’re a viable candidate for implants.
Do dental implants look natural?
Yes, dental implants look completely natural because they’re hidden under the bone structure. The only visible part of the implant structure is the prosthetic crown or bridge, specially designed to resemble your natural teeth.
Is corrosion possible with the dental implants?
Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a highly corrosion-resistant material. However, even so, there’s a mild and negligible risk of corrosion. The risk is negligible, and most people go their whole lives without any problems.
Are dental implants a permanent solution for tooth loss?
Yes, dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. Once you get dental implants, they bond to your jawbone structure and don’t come out.
What happens during dental implant surgery?
During the dental implant surgery, the dental surgeon drills the titanium implant into your jawbone. The jawbone is allowed to heal for several months, after which the dental surgeon attaches the prosthetic component, i.e., the dental crown or bridge over the implant. The entire dental implant process takes around six months, depending on your healing rate.
Schedule your dental implant doctors today.
Nottingham Dental is one of the best dental clinics in Katy, Texas, led by amazing dental specialists. For more information on your dental implant options, please schedule an appointment with our dental implant doctors today.
