What are dental implants?
A dental implant is just one part of a whole system that is used to replace missing or damaged teeth. An implant is a small titanium post that is placed in the jaw bone via a surgical procedure. It will act as the replacement tooth root and will help retain and support the replacement teeth which can be a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture.
How many dental implants will I need to replace my teeth?
This solely depends on how many teeth you are missing and the location in the mouth as well as how much available bone you have. If you are only missing one tooth, a single implant can be placed to support a dental crown. However, if you are missing multiple teeth, a denture or bridge will be used to replace them. A dental bridge will require at least two dental implants to support it and a denture will need about four to six implants per arch to secure it.
How do dentures attach to the implants?
There are two ways dentures can be connected. A removable implant overdenture will simply snap onto the implants. Implants can also secure a fixed denture. Here, the denture is bolted to the implants and only Dr. Boenning can remove it at his Towson, MD dentist office. No matter how the denture is attached, you will still never need to rely on suction or adhesive to hold the prosthetic in place.
How are implants like natural teeth?
The dental implant post is surgically placed in the jaw bone similar to how a tooth root sits in the bone. Here, the implant will stimulate the bone, just as a tooth root does, and prevents bone loss. The implants will also help the replacement teeth function similarly to natural teeth.
What are the disadvantages of dental implants?
Dental implants involve undergoing a surgical procedure therefore they have the same risks as any other surgery. This includes the chance of infection, pain, bleeding, or inflammation. They also take a while to heal and fuse with the bone.
The permanent prosthetic cannot be immediately attached to the implants after surgery. The implants will be fully fused with the jaw bone after about three to six months. In the majority of cases, using dental implants to replace missing teeth will cost significantly more than a removable denture or fixed bridge.
How long will my dental implants last?
Teeth implants are made of titanium and will never suffer from decay. However, it is important to take care of your overall and oral health. If you brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, visit your dentist regularly and remain in good overall health, there is no reason your implants shouldn’t last a lifetime.
How many teeth can dental implants replace?
Dental implants can replace any number of teeth. From one missing tooth to all missing teeth! To learn how implants can solve your tooth loss problem, schedule a consultation with Dr. Boenning at his Towson, MD dental office.