Dental Implants

Get Near Natural Teeth

Dental implants are posts that are surgically inserted into the jaw bones. They fuse with the jawbones to offer more stability like natural teeth. A dental implant is made of three components, viz., the fixture, the abutment and the prosthesis (mostly crown for single tooth implant). Dental implants are the best substitute for missing teeth.

At Smile One, our trained dental implant experts are there to guide you through the entire process to give you the best smile.

The Case of Missing Teeth

In most cases, missing teeth is due to old age when the tooth start falling. Improper oral hygiene is the prime cause of missing teeth in old age. Missing teeth is also a possibility in case of trauma to the face or a fall. Generally when there is one tooth missing, it is right time to get the missing tooth fixed with dental implant. If neglected this can cause the bone underneath to recede and the adjacent teeth can become unstable.

The presence of missing teeth in the front can damage our confidence. The person might not feel comfortable at all to smile or laugh and it is indeed a saddening experience. A person with missing teeth is not happy, has low self-esteem and is less confident as an individual.

Dental implants are a perfect solution to missing teeth. The person with missing tooth can now smile, laugh and speak with confidence.

Dental Implants – Procedures for placing the Implants

First the orthodontist would evaluate your dental condition for the suitableness of dental implants. The conditions that the orthodontist would check would include the presence of healthy bone, gums and your general medical condition. So it is imperative to declare your complete medical condition to the evaluating dentist.

The evaluation would also include x-rays or CT scan to check for the adequacy of jaw bones. They also help in determining the shape and where the nerves reside so that when the fixtures are placed they do not interfere. If everything goes fine, the date is fixed for an implant procedure.

As a first procedure, the trained orthodontist at Smile One, would surgically place the fixture inside the jaw bone and dress the wound. This is left to heal for 3-5 months depending on the response of the patients. In the healing process, the implant’s fixture gets fused with the jawbone. You may have to visit the dentist after the procedure is over to check of the healing is happening as intended.

As a second and last procedure, an abutment is placed on top of the fixture. On top of the abutment, a crown is mounted which gives a natural teeth-like appearance to the implant. If the implants is done for many missing teeth, then bridges and dentures can also be mounted on them.

Who can get Dental Implants?

Literally anyone can get dental implants. Anyone of any age group can get implants. The criteria for dental implants are

• Presence of healthy gums
• Presence of enough jaw bones to hold the implant (the fixture) – Some people who have lost considerable jaw bones due to bone recession can still opt for dental implants after restoring bones using other available techniques.
• People with heart conditions

Who cannot get Dental Implants?

There are some people who cannot get dental implants. They are

• Pregnant women
• Children and young teens whose jaw bones are still growing
• People with uncontrolled diabetes

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental Implants have multiple advantages over conventional dental bridges and dentures.

• The foremost advantage is the life of dental implants. Dental implants can last for more than 25 years and so they offer long-term solution.
• Improved appearance accompanied by aesthetic smile.
• Improved speech if the speech has been affected due to non-presence of teeth.
• Improved eating habit

Maintenance of Dental Implants

Normal oral hygiene needs to be maintained. It includes brushing and flossing the teeth twice a day. A thorough rinsing of the mouth is needed with recommended mouth wash. A dental visit has to be planned at least once every six months or whatever your dentist says. This is a must because, your dentist would periodically evaluate the presence of any plaque in the implant region. Though the implants do not decay because they are made of very strong titanium, the region between the implant and the gums can get affected and as a result there can be infection near the spot where the gum meets the implant.