The World of Dental Implants – Types, Techniques and the Necessary Dental Care

Laughter surely is the medicine! And a smile is the best accessory one can flaunt. Having the perfect pair of pearly white teeth is a rarity these days. Thanks to the constant abuse of dental hygiene that we continuously do. From not brushing and flossing our teeth regularly to consuming excess sugary food that results in cavities, we do everything to torture the teeth enamel. And that is not all. There are few unfortunate situations as well where a tooth gets wholly jeopardized. There are extreme cases of tooth decay and also accidents where people lose their teeth and also hamper the gum health and teeth structure. A comprehensive restoration is a saving grace. And here we have to depend on the advanced dental implants.

What is a dental implant?

Simply put, a dental implant is a metal frame or post, surgically placed inside the jawbone located under the gums. The moment it’s in place, it enables a dentist to position the replacement teeth on the implant.

Understanding the way dental implants work

The dental implants get fused to the jawbone. Hence, they offer ample support for artificial teeth. Any bridges and dentures on the implants have very less chance to shift or slip in the mouth. It is especially helpful when it comes to speaking and eating. Even individual crowns on top of the implants get firmly placed with a good grip. The chances of falling out are none.

Many people look at the conventional dentures and bridges as something uncomfortable. The main reasons being poor ridges, sore spots and even gagging. Additionally, ordinary bridges should get attached to teeth on each side of the space that the missing tooth leaves. Dental implants have a primary advantage. You don’t need any adjacent teeth to get grounded or prepared for holding the new teeth placed by the dentist.

To attain implants, you must have clean gums and sufficient bone structure to take on the implant. You also need to be disciplined enough to take care of these structures for the rest of your lives. Perfect oral hygiene and daily dental visits are essential for keeping your dental implant in place.

Different dental implant types and techniques

Dental implants are available in multiple heights, sizes and also types. Your dentist is the best person to guide you in the kind of dental implant that’s perfect for you depending on your dental requirements. The two primary types of dental implants include the following:

• Endosteal

Usually, this type of dental implant gets placed inside the jawbone. It made of titanium. This implant comes in the shape of little screws and is one of the widely used forms of the implant.

• Subperiosteal

The subperiosteal dental implants get place beneath the gum yet on top of the jawbone. It is one of the ideal forms of implants that are perfect for the patients that don’t have ample natural and health jawbone structure. Also, these are perfect for the ones who don’t want to or can’t opt-in for a bone augmentation process to get it rebuilt.

Other advanced techniques of dental implants

When your jawbone can’t assist any implants, many such procedures are used for rebuilding the bone and reinstate your jaw-line. It will be helpful in offering you a small base for the implant-assisted teeth. Some of these implant techniques are as follows:

1. Bone augmentation

This process involves regenerating or restoring the jaw bone, primarily when it can’t support an implant. Research indicates that making use of bone additives along with the growth factors, usually secure the bone. You can get the best results this way.

2. A ridge expansion

Are your jaws not very wide for dental implants? If yes, then dentists can add a bone graft material to a tiny ridge or space. It gets created on the top of the jaw side.

3. A sinus lift

Frequently termed as the sinus elevation or augmentation process, this implant is all about adding a bone beneath the sinus. It gets done in places where the natural bone got deteriorated entirely because of a lack of upper back teeth that went missing.

4. 3D treatment planning and imaging

With this implant process, you get to experience advanced 3D digital imaging. The dentists here make use of implant surgical software that adds speed to the implant process and is very predictable. An expert dentist will make use of all these advanced tools to evaluate the jaw anatomy. They also check out for the perfect places where the implant can happen. It gets done before the surgery. And this compact evaluation saves a considerable amount of money, time and also lessens the entire recovery time.

5. Instant load dental implants

Also termed as the same day implants, this involves placing a temporary tooth at the same time a dental implant is taking place. It is a perfect option when you have ample natural bone. Additionally, a dental implant that is ample secure to create the back-up for immediate placement as well as pressure on a new transient tooth.

The advanced and new age dental implant procedures

Based on your jawbone health and particular requirements, all your dental implants might require alternative dental treatments. Some of the advanced options that are available today are as follows:

• The mini dental implants

This process is also known as the narrow or the small diameter implants. The implants have a toothpick size and are much narrow than what gets used in most dental implants. These implants get placed by making use of less invasive procedures. Also, it’s mostly used for add stability to the lower denture.

• The All-on-4 implant

One of the new age alternative dental implant technique, it is done by placing a bottom or top set of the replacement teeth. It is usually known as a complete arch. The dentist put four dental implants on the available bone. Here the requirement of bone grafting is neglected.

Furthermore, dentists make use of added abutments for placing the replacement teeth on the same day. You will generally follow a balanced diet for some time that will enable the gum tissues to heal completely. Also, during this time, the implants will start to bond with your natural bone structure. And after six months, the dentist will place your permanent replacement teeth set. Gradually, you will be able to get back to your ordinary course of the diet.

Crucial oral care guidelines after the dental implant

Dental implants need care after the surgery gets done. After a successful implant it is essential for individuals to adhere to these following steps listed below:

• Make sure you opt-in for proper oral hygiene

Make sure that you brush twice a day. Don’t miss out on flossing either. It’s a good practice to do it once daily. Make use of the inter-dental brushes for brushing. These brushes can effectively slide between the teeth. It can also help you clean those regions that are tough to reach close to the place where the dental implant surgery.

• Quit smoking

If you thought that smoking only caused harm to your lungs, there’s a couple of more facts that you should know. Smoking can gradually weaken your bone structure. And if you’ve had a dental implant, it can lead to an implant failure as well. Therefore, make sure that you visit your dentist on a timely basis. Go for regular cleanings and also dental check-up after every six months. It will ensure that your dental implant remains stable for a long time. Sometimes, diligent dental care makes sure that your dental implant sustains a whole lifetime, with minor adjustments after a span of time.

• Stop chewing on any hard foods

Even though a dental implant is robust and sturdy, still you need to exercise caution. No way, should you start to eat any hard items, for instance, hard candy and ice cubes are taken from the freezer directly. Also, refrain from chewing on hard surface nuts and opening bottle caps using your teeth. All these activities will make your crown prone to breakage.

• Gargle with salt water

One of the best dental hygiene tips that will save your teeth from developing ant tartar and plaque buildup. Contrary to popular opinion, sugary foods are not the only source of germs and cavities. Leftover food particles also contribute to dental problems. Gargling with salt water is a good practice that keeps gum health and teeth enable free from any issues.

A dental implant is a smart and practical solution for teeth decay! Today, when you lose out a teeth structure due to teeth decay or accident, you don’t have to lament its loss forever. Dental implants are the best replacements that you can opt-in for today. However, having an implant is not the end of the story. Once your dentist decides which implant is perfect for you and conducts the surgery, you need to follow a post dental implant care. Today, there are several dental implant types that you can count on. Consult an expert dentist to get the best dental implant type customized for you.