Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants

The rise of social media and selfies could be one of the main reasons for the rise in cosmetic dental work. Cosmetic dental work is a popular choice for many people these days - for people who may have neglected their teeth in the past or have suffered from various dental issues, dental work could be the key to bringing back self esteem and confidence. The right cosmetic dental procedure can give a brighter, straighter, whiter smile. It can have a huge impact on the face of the person undergoing treatment, as teeth provide support and shape for the face. The right dental procedure could quite literally change somebody’s life.

Dental implants are a popular choice for many people and they allow a patient to benefit from multiple treatments, but they aren't something that should be taken lightly. Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums, and they can then support a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, denture, or something else. This treatment can be painful and costly and isn't for everybody.

Here, we’ll talk more about dental implants and your options if this is something you are considering.

The Types of Dental Implants Available

It’s important to understand the different types of dental implants and the procedures involved. The implants themselves are created from pure titanium. They are quite small and fit into the bone under the gum, acting like regular tooth roots. Many people choose them to replace lost teeth, although they can be used for a number of other reasons. They can be personalised to fit whatever it is you are going to need them for, and can be used for various forms of tooth loss. The three kinds of dental implants are as follows:

• Endosteal - this is the safest and most common option. It is put in your jawbone as an artificial root to hold a replacement tooth.

• Subperiosteal - the second most popular option, these are dental implants made out of a metal framework. This metal frame is attached under your gum tissue but above your jawbone.

• Zygomatic - this is the most complex option, and is rarely used. They tend to anchor into the zygomatic bone rather than the maxilla.

Understanding the various types of dental implants is important, although if you are considering them your dentist will help you to understand the differences and which one is right for you. Doing your own research on denture implants first should help to give you a rough idea of what’s right for you before you make the decision to go ahead with a consultation. Whichever option is right for you, it’s important to remember that the procedure is complex and there could be a lot of downtime and changes you need to make to your lifestyle while you heal.

Implant Infection Signs To Look For

Implant infection must be dealt with quickly as if it is left untreated, serious oral complications can occur. Bone loss and implant failure can be painful and expensive. The signs to look out for include:

• A bad taste in your mouth
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Pus
• Bleeding gums
• Pain
• Fever
• Difficulty chewing
• Swollen or red gums
• A loose implant

After your dental implant procedure you’ll need to be vigilant, ensuring you follow aftercare instructions to the letter to fight off infection and ensure everything heals as it is supposed to.