The Many Advantages of Dental Implants

A dental implant is acknowledged by most dentists to be the most effective tooth replacement process. As dental implants are attached securely and permanently into the jawbone, they have many significant advantages over other artificial tooth replacements, such as dentures and bridges.

In a dental implant process, a metal implant or post, typically made of titanium, is surgically inserted into the jawbone. The tissues around the jawbone are then expected to osseointegrate, or to bond with the implant. After the osseointegration period, an artificial crown is securely attached to an abutment from the metal post. The artificial crown and the implant then serves to function in the same manner as a real tooth's crown and root.

The permanent nature of dental implants greatly minimizes the risk of the crown falling off, which can frequently happen with dentures and bridges. This can give a dental implant user more confidence not only in eating and chewing food, but in common everyday actions, such as laughing or being physically active. Additionally, because dental implants are securely attached to the person's jawbone, the user's oral digestive functions are fully restored.

Unlike dentures and bridges, dental implants do not need the support of gums in chewing food. Prolonged use of dentures has been known to result to gum diseases because of the pressure exerted on the gum by the dentures. Hence, dental implants also serve to protect the gums and keep them healthy.