Dental Implants – The Best Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Whether you’re missing one or an entire set of teeth, you’ve noticed how it has impacted your oral health, functionality and confidence. With dental implants, though, you have a proven way to replace your teeth and restore your life to normal. Read on to learn what factors go in to determining your eligibility and what alternatives are available for patients who don’t qualify for the dental implant procedure.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium fixture that mimics your natural teeth roots. It is surgically inserted beneath the gumline and affixed to the jawbone, with which it will fuse over time through a process called osseointegration. Because titanium is a biocompatible material, the latter is made possible, which ultimately results in a sturdy and lasting application.

Who is Eligible for the Dental Implant Procedure?

Before any work is done, you will visit your implantologist for a thorough examination. He or she will consider the following areas to determine your eligibility:

• Oral health – Your oral health needs to be up to par to ensure a successful implant procedure. The main area of concern is your gum tissue, which plays a significant role in the longevity of your dental implant.
• Overall health – Your dentist will need to assess your overall health to make sure that it’s safe for you to receive anesthesia before the implant procedure begins.
• The amount of healthy bone remaining – For the dental implant process to be a success, your dentist will assess the amount of healthy bone present. This is of importance because having enough functional bone mass is vital for the implant to seat properly.

If you aren’t eligible based on the above criteria, then there are some other options available.

Traditional Crown or Bridge

The traditional crown is a porcelain fixture that fits over a damaged tooth to restore its full functionality and appearance. To replace one or more missing teeth in consecutive fashion, your dentist may suggest a bridge, which is three or more dental crowns bonded together to form a single restoration.

These options are only available, though, if you still have some teeth remaining. Your dentist will use the teeth surrounding a missing tooth as anchors (called abutments) to hold your new prosthetic in place.

The ultimate takeaway is that by being proactive and seeking treatment, you can have your missing teeth replaced so you can return to living a normal life. Under the care of a highly-skilled professional, you can once again smile with confidence and eat the foods you previously had to abandon.

About the Author

Dr. Patrick Crowley earned his DDS degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He then went on to complete the AEGD residency program at the University of Oklahoma, where he gained valuable experience in placing and restoring implants. Additionally, Dr. Crowley stays current with the latest breakthroughs in dentistry by taking continuing education courses annually. He helps patients regain full and productive lives by placing dental implants at Bluff Creek Dental, and he can be reached for more information through his website.