Amazing advances in dental science, technology and the latest techniques allow the dental profession to perform implants that are virtually painless. Patients report that an implant produces no more discomfort than having a filling or a tooth removed. Losing teeth is traumatic enough and trying to chew food with strategically lost teeth can cause a change to how and what a patient eats. Those days are rapidly vanishing behind us as improvements to materials, techniques and equipment rapidly advance. The time taken to do an implant is rapidly diminishing and with it the improved procedural techniques have reduced the amount of cutting and suturing, resulting in quicker recovery times.
What is the Purpose of Implants?
In the first instance dental implants Windsor are designed to replace a patient's normal tooth or teeth that have been lost, either by decay or accident. Up to a few decades ago this was only achieved through dentures or bridges which serve a purpose, but are not always ideal. Dentures can move and bridges require surrounding teeth to be used as a support. Implants are designed to replicate existing teeth and are fixed into the jawbone and work the same way as natural teeth with a root.
Different types of implant
It must always be borne in mind that we are all different and that the requirements of each individual patient will vary. A thorough dental examination of the entire oral cavity is necessary using the latest hardware and software which will produce a complete 3D picture of the mouth, teeth, gums and jawbone. This information will allow the dentist to determine the jawbone density. Only with this comprehensive information can the type of implant, abutment and crown be determined. There are three different types of dental implant, subperiosteal, endosteal and zygomatic. Subperiosteal implants use a metal frame which is fixed to the jawbone below the gum line. Endosteal uses a procedure which requires the artificial teeth to be fitted using a titanium post, which is inserted into the jawbone to act as the root for the artificial tooth. The zygomatic implants are less invasive and are placed in the cheekbone of the patient instead of the jawbone. This type of dental implant is not as complicated as the others and takes far less time to complete.
Single Tooth or Full Mouth Dental Replacement
Implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or an entire mouth of teeth. By inserting one implant one tooth can be replaced or with a single implant as many as four teeth in a row can be replaced. In addition by inserting four implants an entire mouth of teeth can be replaced.
The Ability to Eat Like Before
Restoring the ability to chew food properly is really what dental implants were created to do and the cosmetic result is a by-product. Restoring the ability to eat properly helps to ensure that not only oral health, but also physical and mental wellbeing are maintained. There is nothing more rewarding than feeling healthy, being able to eat and drink with friends and family, and feeling confident enough to be able to produce a broad smile.