A few years ago, I started thinking carefully about what I could do to improve my smile. I had lived with crooked, yellowed teeth for most of my adult life, and honestly, I just wanted to feel beautiful. I started thinking about working with a cosmetic dentist, and before I knew it, I was in an office getting a complimentary consultation. I learned about a variety of different procedures that could improve my look, and it was really fun. I wanted to create a blog all about making smiles more beautiful, which is why I made this website. Check out this blog for great information about dentistry.
If your dentist has recommended that you try dental implants, then you might be worried. After all, getting dental work done can be a pretty harrowing experience in and of itself, not to mention the added stress of your dentist drilling into your jaw. However, there is no reason to be alarmed. The installation of dental implants is a fairly simply process and can lead to a much higher quality of life.
What are dental implants?
Basically, a dental implant is a synthetic tooth root that is added when you need to replace a missing tooth, yet don't want dentures.
In many cases where you are only missing one or two teeth, dental implants can seem like a much more attractive option.
The implant installation process
First, you're going to need to have the site of the missing tooth prepared for the implant. This can mean cleaning out any infected material or remnants of the old tooth. This is somewhat similar to a root canal, since the nerve will be excavated and removed.
Once the old tooth is entirely gone, your dentist will install a screw directly into your jawbone, which will serve as a foundation for the synthetic tooth. The new crown will attach to the implant screw via an interface called the abutment.
The entire process can take several appointments to complete, and after you are done, you will need to return for several checkups in order to make sure that there are no issues with the implant settling in.
Implants vs dentures
There are a couple of main differences between implants and dentures that you should be aware of. For starters, dental implants are an extremely permanent solution, while dentures need to be removed and replaced on a regular basis. This means that you can elect to have dentures in the short term while you prepare or save up the money for implant installation.
Secondly, while implants are installed on a tooth-by-tooth basis, dentures can be used to replace large swaths of missing teeth, including the entire upper or lower sets. It can be somewhat expensive to replace a whole set of missing teeth with implants, but if it's just a couple, then implants are perfect.
Finally, the cost difference between the two options is quite significant. Implants will cost quite a bit more per tooth, but they also last a lot longer and result in a relatively higher quality of life. They do not require constant attention and removal at night, which means that your life will be much easier. For more information, talk to a professional like Elma Family Dental.
Share13 May 2015
