Dental care treatment has become an absolute necessity for millions of people worldwide; in spite of improvements and advancements in dental care and health, people are afflicted by gum disease and tooth decay. Till a few decades ago, bridges and fixing dentures were two main options for dental implants birmingham al treating people with missing, broken or in situations where teeth have to be surgically removed.
Modern
day dental care includes dental implants that are replacement teeth roots. An implant
can support one or more artificial teeth; the implant is a screw made of
titanium that is fixed into the jawbone in place of a tooth root when it fails.
They provide a strong foundation or base on which removable or permanent teeth
can be fixed to match existing natural teeth.
There
are many advantages to dental implants, some of which are:
•
Greater comfort - dental implants can help avoid discomfort of fixing and
removing dentures.
•
Ease of chewing and eating food - dentures do not always fit 100%; with use
they become less fitting and chances of slipping out while chewing food are
high. With dental implants, this problem is eliminated.
•
Better oral health - dental implants do not require other teeth to be modified
or adjusted thus ensuring that more natural teeth are left unharmed thereby
improving dental health and hygiene in the long-term.
•
Improvement in appearance - since dental implants are so designed that they
fuse with the jawbone; they become permanent and feel like natural teeth.
•
Speech improvement - unlike slurring or mumbling sometimes caused by dentures,
implants do not slip ensuring better speech and communication.
•
More confidence and self esteem - a good smile brings back confidence and a
spring in the step.
• Convenience
- dentures have to be removed and cleaned everyday; with dental implants this
is not necessary at all.
•
Durability - dental plates can last a lifetime with proper care and regular
dental check-up.
Implant
Procedure
Most
dental implants can be safely done in the dentist's office under local
anesthesia. A slightly more complicated procedure may require hospitalization
and intravenous sedation. Every dental implant procedure is different because
it involves the patient's preference, the experience of the dental surgeon and
the overall need of the situation.
The
procedure usually necessitates a three-step process because each stage requires
time to heal.
Step
1
This
involves placing the dental plate flush into the gum, burying it like the root
of a tooth would be. This is to give time for healing and to protect the
implant from force. Once the healing period is over, the dental implant is
exposed by surgically removing some of the gum covering it. This integration
process is known as 'osseointegrate'.
Step
2
In
this step, the dental surgeon examines the implant to see if it has integrated
successfully into the gum and places a post or 'abutment' which is drilled
through the gum. As the area around the gum heals it forms a collar which gives
the dentist access to the implant while placing the artificial or prosthetic
tooth.
In
some cases, steps 1 and 2 are done together within small intervals. The
advantage is that it eliminates extra surgical procedure; however this is a
decision to be made by the dental surgeon taking into account the time needed
for the implant to heal and integrate.
The
time gap between steps 1 and 2 if done at different times can be from a few
days up to a couple of weeks.
Step
3
The
final step is the fabrication and fixing of the prosthetic tooth or teeth to
the integrated dental implants.
Medical
or Dental Insurance
Dental plates by and large are not included in
dental insurance. Here again, the factors leading to the implant are considered
and in some cases, insurance coverage under existing medical plan may be
considered by the insurance company. As dental implants are an expensive
treatment, it is advisable to consult a good dental surgeon and finds the pros
and cons before opting for it.
Contact us
3240 Edwards Lake Pkwy, Ste 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.545.8020
sharon@alabamaperiodontics.com
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