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 dental implants birmingham al two main options for 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.
3240 Edwards Lake Pkwy, Ste 200
Birmingham, Alabama
205.545.8020
sharon@alabamaperiodontics.com
