Dental implants are metal posts that are embedded in the jaw to act as an artificial tooth root that holds a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Implants are made of titanium, a strong and lightweight metal that easily fuses with the surrounding jawbone.
One of the reasons why implants are such a popular tooth replacement option is because implants look and feel like natural teeth. This makes implants a convenient, long-lasting solution for people who have lost teeth.
What is the difference between getting temporary and permanent implants?
Permanent dental implants involve surgically placing the implant and covering it with gum tissue or a small connector called a healing abutment. The implant is left to heal for 4 to 6 weeks before crowns can be fabricated for tooth replacement. Temporary implants, on the other hand are very small diameter implants that can be placed and have replacement teeth fitted to them on the same day.
Why are temporary implants not recommended for a small number of teeth?
When there are multiple adjacent missing teeth to be replaced, the recommended method is generally to use implants to support fixed bridgework and keep them in place. The larger size of permanent implants may make them more suitable for this purpose.
Why are dentures recommended for older people?
Dental implants can only succeed if the existing bone is adequate or can be augmented to create enough bone to bond to the implants. In many cases, older people don’t have sufficient bone to bond to implants, particularly if they lost teeth due to gum or bone disease. It is best to see an implant dentist, such as Dr. Jennifer Pham , to help determine if you have enough jawbone to support an implant.
Sources:
Dental Implants. www.deardoctor.com
Placing Dental Implants. www.colgate.com
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