According to the American Association of Oral Surgeons, almost 70% of adults have lost at least one permanent tooth as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or an accident. Dental implants or dentures are great solutions to help those who have lost teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are a perfect option for those who want to reclaim their smile. They are removable replacements for missing teeth, and surrounding tissue. There are two types of dentures: complete and partial.
Complete Dentures
There are immediate dentures and conventional dentures, which replace all teeth. Conventional are created after the teeth are removed, and the gum tissue has healed. It is ready to be placed 8-12 weeks after the teeth are removed.
Immediate dentures are made in advance and positioned as soon as the teeth are removed, so you don’t have to be without teeth while it heals. But since the bones and gums shrink over time after healing, the immediate dentures are a temporary solution until conventional dentures are made.
Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture is replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, connected by metal framework that hold the dentures in place. They are used when one or more teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. It has a natural appearance, and prevents other teeth from changing position.
Dental Implants
A dental implant can give confidence to Culebra North Dental Care patients who have good dental health, but have lost teeth because of periodontal disease, an accident or tooth decay.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many advantages to dental implants:
- Natural: They look and feel normal, so patients don’t worry about others noticing any difference.
- Health Benefits: The teeth surrounding the implant are left untouched, unlike a bridge which weighs down adjacent teeth.
- Trustworthy: In general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98 percent.
- Self-confidence Boost: You don’t have to hide your smile anymore.
Dental Implants Candidates
Dental implants are a great help to those missing one or more teeth, or those who have a dental bridge or dentures they would like to replace. If patients have enough bone in the jaw to support the implant, healthy gum tissue and have completed bone growth, they are perfect candidates for dental implants.
The Process
The procedure is personalized for each patient by the dentist to find out what treatment is best. Usually a local anesthesia is used during the procedure and most say it is less painful than a tooth extraction.
The first step is to fuse the implant, a small titanium screw, into the bone socket of the missing tooth. Once in place, surrounding gum tissue is brought over it and a protected cover is placed on top to let it heal and allow the implant to anchor to the jawbone.
After 6-12 weeks, the implant is uncovered and the connector post—abutment—is attached to hold the new tooth. The dentist makes impressions for the teeth, a mold of the bite and then a temporary crown is attached to the abutment. After the gum has grown and shaped itself, a permanent crown replaces the temporary one.
Types of Dental Implants
Implants are usually made of titanium, which is effective at fusing with living bone. There are three different types:
- Root Form Implant: This screw type implant is shaped like the tooth root and most commonly used when there is plenty of width and depth to the jawbone.
- Plate Form Implant: If your jawbone is too narrow for bone grafting, a plate form implant is put in the jawbone.
- Subperiosteal Implants: If there is not enough bone width or height for root form or plate form, the subperiosteal implant is recommended.
Caring for Dental Implants
To make sure the implant succeeds, patients should be sure to floss, brush their teeth and clean the area surrounding the implant.
Dentures vs. Dental Implants
There are many advantages to dentures or implants, and the dentist will help you determine which one is right for you:
- Dentures are a lower cost solution to missing teeth.
- Dental implants allow you can eat any food you enjoy.
- Dentures quickly adjust to your teeth.
- Dental implants help promote healthy bone growth, and are held in place by natural bone.
Culebra North Dental Care offers both dentures and dental implants to patients in the San Antonio area. Contact Culebra North Dental Care today if you would like to learn more to see if dental implants or dentures are right for you.
