Common Questions and Answers About Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered by the dental industry to be the current top-tier treatment for missing teeth. Many people have heard of dental implants, but may not know exactly what they are or how they’re used by dentists to replace lost teeth. Dental implants are the closest available replacement for natural teeth because they are stable, don’t affect surrounding teeth, and can last a lifetime if carefully maintained. Here are some common questions and answers concerning dental implants.

Many people suffer from at least some form of dental problem. The Centers for Disease Control have found that about 90% of adults in the United States have at least one cavity. Around half of the adult population has signs of gum disease. Without making changes, it could lead to more and more people needing to have tooth implants once they begin to lose teeth.

Often called “tooth implants,” dental implants are surgical fixtures, generally made of titanium, that are placed into the patient’s jawbone by a dental surgeon. Dental implants become fused with the jawbone over the course of a few months. The titanium implant replaces the root of a missing tooth and serves to hold a replacement tooth or a bridge. Titanium construction allows the implant to integrate with the jaw bone (a process called “osseointegration”) without being recognized as a foreign object and rejected by the body.

Once the titanium implant has fully integrated into the bone, the implant crown will be placed by a general dentist or prosthodontist, a dentist specializing in tooth replacement. The implant crown looks like a normal tooth and is supported by the titanium implant.

People who have lost one or more adult teeth are candidates for dental implant treatment. Tooth implants can be used to replace several teeth, a single tooth, or all teeth, depending on the needs of the patient. Dental implants are used to restore function, such as the ability to chew and speak, and are also a great way to restore a beautiful smile.

Generally, there are three options for replacing missing teeth

• Dentures. Dentures are removable dental appliances and can be either complete or partial. Dentures are a very affordable option for replacing teeth, but can be inconvenient, as they are removable and can affect taste and the enjoyment of food.

• Dental bridges. Dental bridges are fixed, or cemented, into the mouth. Dental bridges depend on existing natural teeth for support, and were a common choice for tooth replacement prior to the recent shift toward treatment with dental implants.

• Dental implants. Implants do not affect any surrounding natural teeth, and are supported by bone.

Many factors play a part in deciding which option is right for each patient. Some important factors to be considered are:

• Patient’s health. When a dental surgeon examines the patient, he or she will assess whether the patient is a good candidate for dental implants based on overall health and the availability and quality of bone in the patient’s jaw.

• Patient preference. A patient who emphasizes aesthetics may want to choose dental implants due to the superior quality of tooth replacement they provide. Dental implants blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth, providing a beautifully finished smile. Dental implants allow missing teeth to be replaced without affecting adjacent natural teeth, and can have the look and feel of natural teeth.

• Cost. Although dental implants do tend to be more expensive than dentures or bridges, they’re a better long-term investment. Taken care of properly, dental implants can last a lifetime, cutting out the replacement costs commonly seen with dentures and bridges.

If implant surgery is in the best interest of the patient, any licensed dentist can perform implant surgery, provided the treatment follows the standard of care. However, since implants do involve surgically-placed titanium in the jawbone, dental specialists are well-equipped to handle various aspects of the dental implant process.

Oral maxillofacial surgeons treat diseases or defects of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, including tooth extraction and jaw surgeries such as dental diseases or defects, which includes extraction of teeth and jaw surgeries such as dental implants. Periodontists also treat diseases of the structures surrounding teeth, such as the gum and jawbone, and are also equipped to handle dental implant surgery.  A prosthodontist is a dentist who replaces teeth and restores patients’ oral health and function.

At EON Clinics, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, a prosthodontist, and a lab technician work together to coordinate each patient’s treatment to deliver the perfect individualized result.

If implant surgery is in the best interest of the patient, any licensed dentist can perform implant surgery, provided the treatment follows the standard of care. However, since implants do involve surgically-placed titanium in the jawbone, dental specialists are well-equipped to handle various aspects of the dental implant process.

Oral maxillofacial surgeons treat diseases or defects of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, including tooth extraction and jaw surgeries such as dental diseases or defects, which includes extraction of teeth and jaw surgeries such as dental implants. Periodontists also treat diseases of the structures surrounding teeth, such as the gum and jawbone, and are also equipped to handle dental implant surgery.  A prosthodontist is a dentist who replaces teeth and restores patients’ oral health and function.

At EON Clinics, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, a prosthodontist, and a lab technician work together to coordinate each patient’s treatment to deliver the perfect individualized result.

If implant surgery is in the best interest of the patient, any licensed dentist can perform implant surgery, provided the treatment follows the standard of care. However, since implants do involve surgically-placed titanium in the jawbone, dental specialists are well-equipped to handle various aspects of the dental implant process.

Oral maxillofacial surgeons treat diseases or defects of the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, including tooth extraction and jaw surgeries such as dental diseases or defects, which includes extraction of teeth and jaw surgeries such as dental implants. Periodontists also treat diseases of the structures surrounding teeth, such as the gum and jawbone, and are also equipped to handle dental implant surgery.  A prosthodontist is a dentist who replaces teeth and restores patients’ oral health and function.

At EON Clinics, an oral maxillofacial surgeon, a prosthodontist, and a lab technician work together to coordinate each patient’s treatment to deliver the perfect individualized result.

Posted in Dental Implant Information, Miscellaneous