Studio City Dental Implants: Your Titanium Teeth
April 28, 2013
The scariest thing about losing teeth is that you cannot re-grow them. Fortunately, dental implants are now possible. Dental implants are titanium screws which are drilled into the space vacated by the lost tooth. The implants are anchored not deep within the bone tissues. Over a period of time, titanium fuses with the bone tissue which adds to the stability of the dental implant.
Benefits of Getting Dental Implants
Because the dental implants are anchored into the bone tissues, these implants are stronger and more durable compared to dentures and dental bridges. This added stability gives patients the confidence and security they need to be able to eat and talk without worrying that anything embarrassing might come out of their mouths. Patients with dentures and dental bridges are seen with a complete set of teeth but that does not mean that they can eat or speak without any problem. Dentures are kept in place through natural suction of the gums while dental bridges are linked to other teeth. These restorations are extremely unstable and run the risk of falling off.
Who Are Good Candidates?
Despite the numerous advantages of having dental implants, not everyone can be eligible for these titanium implants. The first thing which your dentist will evaluate you for is the state of your gums and underlying supporting structures. Because the dental implant has to be screwed into your jawbone, the quality and quantity of your bone tissue is crucial to the success of the dental implant procedure.
Lack of Viable Bone Tissue. Patients with periodontal disease or have waited a long time to get dental implants, hence have bone tissues that have shrunk and atrophied, will need to be treated first before they can undergo the actual procedure. In severe instances, they may even require bone grafts.
Lifestyle. On the other hand, people who are heavy smokers or who drink alcohol excessively may take a longer time to heal their wounds. The longer it takes for you to heal, the more that the procedure drags on and the more susceptible you become for infections.
Health Status. People who are compromised immune systems are not advised to go through dental implant procedures. Without a healthy immune system, a person will have a hard time fighting off infections that could arise with an open wound. These individuals include those in immunodeficiency states, undergoing radiation treatment and those receiving steroid drugs.