Dental implants are a dentistry solution for people with missing teeth to have one or more replacement tooth roots inserted. Nowadays, people with dentures, bridges and crowns can choose a more stable, natural tooth replacement treatment with dental implants.

Dental implants are titanium-made posts or screws to which artificial replacement teeth are anchored. These titanium posts are inserted through the gum tissue and securely fitted. Over time these posts permanently fuse with the jaw bone structure through a process called osseointegration.

Diagnostic tests for patients enable dentists to identify jaw bone suitability for dental implants. If too narrow the jaw bone may need to be strengthened through bone augmentation procedures. In some cases, a sinus lift may be necessary to create enough space for dental implant insertion without impacting the sinus cavity.

Dental implant software enables the dentist to specify exactly where the dental implants are to be inserted. A tiny incision is created within the gum and a flap of gum tissue lifted, at which point the dental implant is inserted. A small drill is used to gently create a carefully-measured space within the jaw bone for insertion of the titanium post, custom-made for the patient’s treatment and their dental and jaw dimensions.

The dentist then inserts temporary or immediate dental implants into the space made within the jaw bone. The insertion site is treated and then left to heal for a period of six weeks to six months. The recovery time for the bone to start fusing and the gum tissue to heal is different for each person depending on their health condition and rate of healing.

The process may take longer if a bone graft is necessary to build up the jaw bone density first, or if a sinus lift is needed to protect the sinus cavity. Once healed, permanent dental implants are fitted and anchored with natural-looking replacement teeth.

Tooth loss can happen for a number of reasons, including injury, tooth decay, or just general ageing. If a tooth is lost, it is important to have the gap filled in some way, or the effects could end up causing you further pain.

Effects of untreated tooth loss

Oral hygiene is much more difficult if a gap is left in your teeth and bacteria can build up in the space, leading to bad breath and infection. In addition, losing teeth can affect your speech function, as well as the ability to eat the foods you want, as you simply would not have the teeth to bite or chew. An even more serious consequence is bone loss. As your teeth sit in your mouth, the tissue surrounding them is regenerated as part of your body’s normal healing process. However, if you lose a tooth and leave a gap, the material – including the bone – around the gap will start to atrophy. In other words, the bone will start to disappear. This can change the shape of your jaw, and contribute to you looking more aged.

Dental implants

Thankfully, dental implants can help stop these problems. Dental implants are small metal rods inserted into the jaw structure, which help to hold replacement teeth in place. The implants are made of titanium, which easily fuse with the bone structure in your jaw. Rather than a loss of bone, as would happen with a gap in teeth, an implant helps stimulate bone growth. In addition, implants can function just like your own teeth, allowing you to speak and eat as normal. They only require the same oral hygiene routine as your other teeth, and will allow you to have a natural looking and feeling smile.