When your natural teeth have severely deteriorated or are missing, your dentist may suggest replacing them with prosthetic options. Thankfully, there is no lack of good options, especially with the advent of dental implants. In the past, you could either choose between a denture or a dental bridge to replace your missing teeth. While those options are still valid, advancements in dental technology have given us a modern alternative that can deliver better aesthetics, stability and durability.
For the uninitiated, dental implants are essentially small titanium posts that are strategically placed in areas of the mouth where there are missing teeth. The “root-like” posts, serving as replacements for your tooth roots, are able to provide unprecedented support for the new prosthetic teeth.
A trained implant dentist surgically places dental implants into the jawbone. Following the placement, the implants are left undisturbed for a period of several months. During this time, the implants will bond with the bone through a biological process known as osseointegration. Small connectors (known as abutments) are then attached to each implant. The final prosthetic teeth are then attached to the abutments and precisely fitted to appear seamless with the rest of the patient’s teeth.
Dental implants offer a true replacement for missing teeth in that they look, feel and function like your own natural teeth. Unlike ill-fitting removable dentures, they do not wobble, slip or fall off when you least expect it to. Besides not having to worry about potential embarrassment caused by a sliding oral appliance, dental implants offer patients the freedom to eat, drink, bite, chew, talk and smile as they would with natural teeth. You can also dispense with all the nightly soaking rituals and accidental fractures that can occur with removable dentures. Basically, dental implants do not interfere with your lifestyle habits the way dentures can – and often do.
Unlike a fixed dental bridge, dental implants are directly lodged into your jawbone. Besides offering a solid anchor, they do not depend on your neighbouring teeth for support – which can over time wear down your healthy existing teeth. Compared to bridgework and dentures, dental implants also offer more long-term health security. The traditional teeth replacement options often present with higher failure rates due to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
One of the advantages of opting for a modern teeth replacement technique like dental implants has to do with the aesthetic restoration it delivers. An implant dentist uses advanced dental techniques to place aesthetically pleasing dental prosthesis over the titanium “root-like” posts. They do not look out of place but blend seamlessly with the rest of your natural teeth. Modern materials like porcelain and ceramic mimic the translucency and reflectivity of natural teeth. The result is a beautiful restoration that is indistinguishable from real teeth. Even at extremely close range, no one will be able to pick up the difference!
Although the cost of implant surgery is considerably higher than dentures or bridges, dental implants continue to grow in popularity for being a “truer-to-life” teeth replacement option. If properly maintained, implant supported teeth can last for more than 30 years. For many patients, they can even last a lifetime.
If you are considering dental implants as an option, speak to a dentist at Melbourne Dentist Clinic. Give us a call at (03) 9999 9703 or visit our website for more information.
