If you have lost a tooth or teeth because of an accident or a result of tooth decay or gum disease, it is imperative that you get it or them replaced. Having a full set of teeth makes eating, drinking and talking so much easier and guards against future oral health problems. For example, teeth can begin to shift in gaps left behind by missing teeth and this alters the shape of the mouth.There are a number of options to replace lost teeth but a particularly long term solution is the use of dental implants. Dental implants act as a substitute for the lost root of the tooth. Essentially they are sockets which are placed under the gum for a replacement tooth to be screwed into.
X-rays will need to be taken of your mouth and then your dentist will make a small incision in the gum into which the implant will be placed. Implants are always placed tight against the jaw bone so that the titanium with which they are made can fuse with the bone and offer maximum stability to the replacement tooth. This process is known as osseointegration and titanium, lightweight and durable in itself, has been found to be ideal for this purpose.
Modern techniques allow dental implants to be installed quicker than ever and, so secure is the foundation they offer, they can often support a bridge of teeth. The process is not reversible and some people still prefer to sue removable full or partial dentures or to have bridge work anchored to existing teeth but, although invasive, dental implants provide a long-term, stable solution to lost teeth.
Contact your dentist if you think that dental implants might be the answer to your tooth loss problems.
