Benefits of Dental Implants
Tempe, AZ
 The benefits of dental implants are numerous. Not only do they provide a great set of replacement teeth for those patients who have suffered extensive tooth decay and tooth loss, but they help rebuild lost self-confidence by improving the patient’s smile. While most patients have heard the term “dental implants” and perhaps even have had a friend or two go through the process, they still have frequently asked questions about dental implants and do not fully understand everything that goes into placing them.
For those who find themselves in the latter stages of periodontal disease where their oral cavity health is diminished, dental implants can be a wonderful solution. Used to support dental bridges, dentures, and dental crowns, dental implants not only look like real teeth, but they feel like real teeth too. This means they can be brushed and flossed just like patients would brush their own teeth.
Dental implants are not like traditional dentures and will not slip out of place. Dental implants are a permanent part of the patient’s mouth. They will need to be brushed and flossed and the patient will still need to come in for regular dental cleanings and dental exams. Come in and see our dentists to find out more about the benefits of dental implants. We are located in Tempe, AZ at A Great Smile Arizona and here for all of our patients’ needs.
Dental Implant Components
Understandably so, patients can be anxious about deciding to get dental implants. They are expensive, and the procedure is a process, which can seem long and tedious at times. However, when judged for missing teeth and the way they look when they smile, patients can become depressed about their appearance. Dental implants can waylay those fears and restore lost confidence.
Many patients are unaware that a dental implant is actually made up of three distinct sections. The implant is the first section and is the piece secured to the actual jawbone of the patient. It provides the foundation upon which the second section, known as the abutment, and the third section, the crown, are affixed. The crown is the only section which is visible to the naked eye.
Advantages of Dental Implants
One clear advantage of dental implants is that they are permanent. Dental implants will not shift and move like traditional dentures. Dental implants also do not require the sticky adhesive to be applied multiple times throughout the day to get them to stay in place. Dental implants do not need to be taken out and cleaned as they can be taken care of like natural teeth by brushing and flossing. Dental implants are a permanent fixture in your mouth. There is also no need to change your diet as is the case with traditional dentures.
Placement Procedure for Dental Implants
Applied through several office visits, the initial visit entails getting the patient’s full medical history so adjustments to the placement can be made if necessary. With dental technology, the artificial teeth are both designed and manufactured to the specific and unique measurements of the patient. There is no shaping or contouring of the teeth. It is not necessary. After your dental implants are placed, you will need to wait for osseointegration to take place, the fusing of the bone to the dental implant. This can take several months. After osseointegration has taken place, the abutment and then the dental crown will be placed.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can provide the permanent supportive structure necessary to restore a patient's natural appearance. It is important to note however that not everyone is a good candidate. There are certain risk factors which can complicate the procedure which is why patients should come into our office for a free evaluation.
Good candidates for dental implants are those with a good medical health history and who practice good dental health on a daily basis. Also, people with a healthy jawbone are good candidates. If you do not have sufficient jawbone to hold the dental implant, that does not automatically disqualify you for dental implants. You may, however, need to have a bone graft before undergoing dental implant surgery. Come see us today at our office here A Great Smile Arizona to find out if you are a good candidate.
Are Dental Implants a Good Fit?
Specific factors can make a patient a bad fit for dental implants. One of those factors is age. For those patients over the age of 60, they might not be a good candidate. Why is this? As we age, our bone mass begins to deteriorate naturally. Since dental implants require a solid amount of bone mass necessary to complete the procedure, this automatically precludes them from being a good candidate. This is also true for the very same reason for those patients who have had radiation treatment.
Specific types of medication can deteriorate bone mass as well. Those patients going through menopause can also have less bone mass than is necessary for a successful implant placement. Advanced gum disease can diminish available bone mass as can the use of tobacco products. As we talk about these risk factors, it is important for patients to realize that while these are factors which can make them a high risk for completing the procedure it does not mean they are automatically not eligible for dental implants. It simply means that with these particular factors, some considerations must be made in order to have a successful implant procedure.
Dental Implant Alternatives
For those patients who do not meet the requirements for traditional dental implants, there are other tooth restoration options available. Two of these options include mini dental implants and The All-on-4® Treatment Concept. Mini dental implants require substantially less bone mass. The All-on-4® Treatment Concept requires less bone mass and is far less expensive because the entire procedure is completed in a single office visit.
If you have considered getting dental implants, why not come see Dr. Mike today at A Great Smile Arizona to find out more and get started with your artificial tooth solution. The benefits of dental implants are clear. Contact us today at (480) 672-0007
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