Are Dental Implants Really That Effective? Here’s What You Should Know.

Dental implants have quickly become one of the most sought-after treatments in restorative dentistry. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or undergo a full mouth reconstruction, implants can deliver long-lasting results, natural function, and a beautiful smile.
Here’s what you should know about this incredible treatment and whether it’s right for you.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a modern solution for missing teeth that offer an effective treatment option for many different situations. The dental implant itself is a titanium post with a screw-like base. It’s embedded in the jawbone to provide the strongest possible foundation for replacement teeth.
The dental implants are placed during a surgical procedure and then heal over the course of several months. During this time, they undergo osseointegration, a process where the titanium bonds with the natural bone tissue. This makes them strong and durable, typically lasting the remainder of the patient’s life.
Once ready, the dental implants have an abutment attached. This provides the link between the implant and the replacement tooth. If you’re replacing just one tooth, you’ll receive a custom dental crown that attaches to the abutment.
There isn’t much difference between the implant crown and a standard dental crown, except that it relies on a dental implant instead of a prepared natural tooth.
Dental implants are also used for other types of tooth loss solutions. If you require full mouth rehabilitation, for example, dental implants can support fixed dentures. These implant-supported dentures provide full arch replacement without many of the downsides of removable dentures.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer a wide range of benefits over other restorative dentistry options in many situations. Most of these benefits stem from the strong foundation they provide by being embedded in the jawbone.
Durability
The titanium implant posts themselves are practically indestructible, and they have exceptional biocompatibility. They also generally stand the test of time.
This makes restorations with dental implants incredibly durable and long-lasting. While the individual dental or implant-supported denture may require replacement after some years, the implants themselves usually don’t.
Natural Function
The strong foundation makes your replacement teeth function more like natural teeth. You can make use of much greater biting force than with dentures or other options, allowing for natural biting and chewing. The stability and lack of slippage mean more natural speech as well—and the confidence that comes with it.
Seamless Look
Your smile will look and feel natural. The custom dental crowns or full arch replacements used with dental crowns are personalized to match your smile perfectly. These restorations use high-quality materials like porcelain to match the shape and shade of natural teeth, even mimicking the partial translucency of real enamel.
Bone Loss Prevention
Dental implants stand out in terms of long-term oral health. Tooth replacement options like dentures go a long way to restoring a smile. However, they don’t do anything to prevent bone loss.
Without the natural stimulation of tooth roots, your jawbone will weaken and deteriorate over the years. This leads to a variety of issues, including a sunken facial appearance. Dental implants prevent bone loss because they are embedded in the jawbone, providing stimulation much like natural tooth roots.
Are dental implants right for you?
Dental implants are versatile and often the first choice for patients and dentists alike. However, they aren’t right for everyone. There are some key factors to take into consideration to determine whether dental implants are right for you. Talking with your dentist is the only way to find out for sure, but there are some general guidelines.
Bone density is very important for dental implant success. The implants rely on the jawbone as a foundation, so patients must have sufficient density and size. However, if you have lived with missing teeth for some time, then some level of jawbone deterioration may have already occurred. There are also conditions, such as osteoporosis, that can weaken the jawbone.
In some of these cases, dental implants may still be an option after having a bone graft as part of your full mouth rehab. This surgery transplants bone tissue from another location to the jaw. After several months, the jaw will integrate the new tissue and hopefully allow the implant placement to go forward.
Poor oral health is another risk factor, as it can lead to infection. If you have any symptoms of gum disease, your dentist will likely require that issue to be dealt with before moving forward. Other risk factors, such as smoking, may also lead your dentist to recommend an alternative to implant placement.
Learn more about dental implants in Sioux Falls.
Dental implant restorations can provide an excellent solution for a wide range of cases. Whether you’re missing one, several, or all of your teeth, you could be a candidate for dental implants. Schedule a consultation with the skilled team at Sensational Smiles today to find out whether dental implants are the right solution to restore your smile.