What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a replacement for a natural tooth that closely mimics its structure. It consists of two parts – a root that sits beneath the gum line and a visible tooth above it. Unlike a natural tooth made of enamel, a dental implant uses a titanium base below the gum line and a porcelain crown above it that matches the natural color of teeth. At Portobello Dental Clinic, they use titanium implants made by Straumann, a leading implant company, because titanium is sturdy, corrosion-resistant, and well-tolerated by the body. After placing the implant in the jaw, the bone and gum will heal around it in about three to six months. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, the porcelain crown can be attached on top of it using either a titanium or zirconium connector.
If you have a single tooth missing, whether at the front or back of your mouth, multiple missing teeth, or dentures that are uncomfortable or do not fit securely, it may be worth considering dental implants. For a single missing tooth, an implant crown is sufficient, but if there are multiple missing teeth, an implant bridge may be necessary. It is not always necessary to create an implant for each missing tooth, as several porcelain teeth can be attached to two implants.
Implants can also help improve the fit of complete dentures, providing greater stability, comfort, and improved chewing ability.
In addition to these common uses, dental implants can be used to improve the fit of partial dentures and can serve as temporary anchors during orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth.
There are several benefits of dental implants, including a high success rate, with 92% of implants still functioning perfectly after 10 years. Implants also preserve the natural state of adjacent teeth since there is no need to remove layers from them during treatment. They feel like natural teeth, never decay, enable proper chewing, and restore full bite strength. Additionally, implants prevent further bone loss and offer a permanent solution for missing teeth while improving overall cosmetic appearance.