Dental implants are popular tooth replacement options. They replace the entire missing tooth instead of simply the crown as other tooth replacement applications do. A dental implant restoration consists of an implanted rod or screw, an abutment and a prosthetic crown.
The rod or screw is made of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. Thus, there is less chance that the implanted screw will incite an immunological response. The abutment serves as a connection between the screw and the dental crown. The crown, which restores the chewing ability and look of a tooth, is usually made of porcelain or porcelain-over-metal so that it can be matched to the color of the other teeth within the mouth.
Once a dental implant is installed, the look of the patient's smile is restored. However, there are additional benefits of using a dental implant to restore a lost tooth instead of other teeth replacement options. Here are a few of the advantages:
Misalignment Prevention
Once the dental implant is in place, it blocks adjacent teeth from migrating out of position. Just as a natural tooth serves as a place-keeper for the teeth that lie next to it, the dental implant fills the gap left by the missing tooth and prevents dental movement. This is important because once teeth become misaligned, they usually require an orthodontic treatment to shift them back into position. Still, if an orthodontic treatment is performed while the gap still remains in the mouth of the patient, the shifting of the teeth may reoccur.
Jawbone Preservation
The jawbone holds the teeth in position by firmly surrounding the roots of the teeth. In addition, the bone helps fill out the facial structure, preventing a sunken appearance.
Once a tooth is lost, the root of a tooth is no longer available in its socket to stimulate the jawbone. The stimulation of the bone that occurs when a patient chews or bites helps promote the production of additional bone cells. This production process prevents the density of the jawbone from falling to unacceptable levels. However, when a tooth is lost and the stimulation ends, the jawbone can begin to atrophy and production of new bone cells can decline. The diminished bone density can cause the remaining teeth in the patient's mouth to loosen in their sockets, making the patient more susceptible to tooth loss.
A dental implant rests inside the bone of the jaw just as the root of a natural tooth does. Once the dental implant is place, stimulation continues.
If you would like to learn more about dental implants and how they can benefit you, consult with a dentist in your area.
Share17 March 2016
