Dental Implants And The Devices They Support

When a person has lost one or more teeth, their dentist is likely to present them with multiple tooth-replacement options. Although each option may be significantly different, they may all incorporate the use of dental implants.

Here is some information about dental implants and the types of devices they support.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium device that replaces the missing roots of a lost tooth. The implant is positioned in the bone of the jaw as the natural roots of the teeth would be.

When a dentist inserts an implant through the gums into the jawbone, the bone cells around the implant multiply. The healing process within the bone is called osseointegration and results in the secure positioning of the implant. Once osseointegration is complete, the dental implant can withstand the same amount of bite force as natural tooth roots without moving out of position.

Nevertheless, osseointegration does take time. The process usually requires several months to complete.

What Types of Devices Do Dental Implants Support?

Dental implants only replace the roots of missing teeth. Other dental devices, such as dental crowns, bridges, and dentures, replace natural crowns.

A dental crown is a hollow device that is placed over a dental implant after the implant has been fitted with an abutment. The crown is often paired with an implant for single-tooth replacements

A dental bridge is frequently used when multiple teeth have been lost. The bridge is made up of bridge crowns and false teeth. The false teeth replace the missing teeth, and the bridge crowns connect to natural teeth or dental implants to secure the bridge in place.

Dentures are customized appliances that are often used to replace full rows of teeth. Even though a denture is custom-fitted and is partially held in place by the suction created as the device rests against the soft tissues of the mouth, a denture may still slip about when a patient eats or speaks. Dental implants can be strategically placed along the palate to secure a denture in place.

An implant-supported denture is designed with a mechanism on its underside that connects to the abutment of an implant. The mechanism can be released and attached as necessary, allowing the patient to freely remove their dentures for cleaning before placing them back in the mouth.

For more information about dental implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area. 

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