If you’ve met anyone over the age of 50, you’ve probably run across a person who wears dentures. Maybe you’ve even had occasion to know a person who pops his partial set out in public for reasons known only to himself. Perhaps you’ve even thought to yourself, “I don’t ever want to wear false teeth. I’m sure if I look after my teeth and make sure there’s plenty of calcium in my diet, I won’t need them.” Guess what? Sooner or later, everybody needs some kind of tooth replacement. The good news is that dentures aren’t the only option available anymore. More and more individuals who need new teeth are turning to dental implants. To learn more, make an appointment with a Plano dentist today.
Unlike dentures, which sit on top of the gums, dental implants are attached to a small cylinder that is surgically placed below the gumline into the jawbone. The cylinder acts like a root for the replacement tooth because, over time, it fuses to the surrounding tissue just like organic material, in a process called osseointegration. The synthetic tooth is attached to the implant cylinder via a small fixture called an abutment. Because the base of the replacement teeth is integrated into the jaw structure, they are able to function more like real ones.
Two types of dental implants are available to Plano patients. A removable prosthesis is similar to dentures; it snaps onto the abutment and can be taken out for cleaning. Generally, the more affordable of the two kinds, removable implants are a good option for people who need more than one tooth replaced. Fixed implants are permanently screwed in place and cannot be removed.
This solution is not for everyone. One of the biggest drawbacks of the surgery is its duration. Patients who agree to the procedure need to allow several months for completion. Once the cylinder is inserted into the jawbone, osseointegration can take anywhere from two to six months. Another one or two surgeries may be necessary after the cylinder has taken root to add the abutment and replacement tooth. But you may even need an additional surgery – a bone graft – before the insertion if your jawbone isn’t thick enough to support the cylinder. Depending on the amount of bone to be grafted, this procedure can add another six to nine months to the whole process.
Plano patients needing tooth replacement have more options than ever. Traditional dentures are still a good choice for many people, but for those who are willing to commit the time, dental implants offer a solution to rival the real thing.
Dental Implants Plano – As more people turn to dental implants, Plano dentists provide more and more options and expertise. EverSmile offers treatment in our state-of-the-art facility for permanent replacement of teeth in one day to restore your beautiful smile.
