Friday, May 6, 2011

Your Healthiest Smile With Dental Implants

By Adriana Noton


At some time in life, almost everyone loses a permanent tooth. They can be lost in an accident, it can decay and fall out on its own, or your dentist may recommend its removal for another reason. Because missing teeth may lead to some serious health consequences or loss of self-confidence, your dentist may recommend dental implants.

Some may wonder what harm can come from having a gap in between teeth. Most people don't like the look of missing teeth, but few are aware that missing teeth can have general health consequences. Missing a tooth may affect your diet, and it may cause the other teeth in your mouth to shift. This in turn can cause issues with your bite resulting in jaw pain, which may be severe.

In fact, it is best to replace a tooth or teeth as soon as possible after they are lost or extracted. This is because as time goes by, the jaw bone that once supported your tooth will begin to deteriorate. This will cause a change in your appearance and narrow your options for replacement later on. In the case of dental implants the sooner you can begin the process the better.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is embedded into your gum. It functions just as the root of your tooth would, and firmly anchors in a replacement tooth which is added later. They're very durable, but you must take care of them like you would a natural tooth. This means keeping the prosthetic clean by brushing and flossing and regularly visiting your dentist for check-ups.

If you're facing this procedure you may have many questions about it, such as how the procedure is performed. Your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth and assess your specific needs. The post is implanted while you are under a general or local anesthetic, so pain should not be a concern. Your dentist will use a drill to make a space for the post within your jawbone.

After it is implanted, you must allow a number of months to pass for bone to form around the implant. This way, it will be supported almost as strongly as your natural tooth. If an artificial tooth is attached to the implant too soon, you may not get the result you'd hoped to achieve. The healing process will be monitored closely by your dental professional.

Once the implant is firmly bonded to the jaw, the dentist will attach the prosthetic tooth. This could be a porcelain replica, other type of false tooth or even bridgework. The tooth itself might be permanent or removable, depending on what is ideal for your situation. Your dentist will determine what is best for you based on how many teeth are missing and other factors.

Replacing a missing tooth or teeth has benefits beyond your appearance. It's important for your overall health, too. Missing teeth can affect what foods you eat, how your face and jaw feels and how you interact with others. A healthy smile brings confidence. Dental implants are a way to accomplish your healthiest smile.




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