Human mouths have something called the periodontium which is the tissue that surrounds and support the teeth. This consists of the gum, cementum and bones and ligaments around the teeth. Periodontists in Central Texas treat periodontal disease. Their main specialty is dental implants. If you don’t know what these are, read on for a brief overview.
What Are Dental Implants?
Implants are essentially artificial tooth roots, metal screws/posts that support and hold in artificial teeth, or crowns. They are also considered better than options like bridges or dentures, which can be ill-fitting, though implants are usually more expensive. There are also situations where implants have to be used instead of a bridge or dentures because there are no natural tooth roots left to hold them. Implants require dental surgery, sometimes several sessions depending on the state of your jaw and the type of implant.
What Are Some Benefits of Dental Implants?
Besides the obvious, replacing teeth, implants can also serve to save the bone that supports your teeth, which begins to degrade when you lose a tooth, and which can be damaged further by dentures. One of the biggest advantages of implants over other alternatives is how natural they are; they look natural, provide stronger, full chewing ability, can be brushed and flossed like regular teeth and can last a lifetime. They are also made to avoid being toxic to the body. Long term health benefits include protecting the gum from disease-causing bacteria that can accumulate in gaps and stabilizing other teeth. Aesthetically, because they deter bone loss, they can also keep away premature aging and sagging in the face that might be caused by bone loss.
What Is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?
Now to an important question. Are these successful? Implants have a high success rate and, as mentioned earlier, generally last a long time. They are also considered safe to get and not painful to put in.
What Are Some Types of Dental Implants?
Endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants are the two main kinds of implants available. Endosteal implants are the most common type and are inserted into the jawbone. Subperiosteal implants are placed in the gum above the jawbone instead; they are an option for those who do not have enough healthy jawbone to stick the implants in, and who do not want to (or can’t) regrow the bone with bone augmentation.
Dental implants are not the only choice for those who have lost permanent teeth. However, they are a safe, long-lasting one worth investing in.
