subject: Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth To Help Improve Your Smile Aesthetics [print this page] If you are missing a tooth, or multiple teeth you may experience low self-esteem, and difficulty eating and speaking. Because of this, it is important to visit your cosmetic dentist in Baltimore about available tooth replacements such as dental implants. When teeth are missing, the best treatment is typically dental implants, which are used to replace missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like your natural teeth. Dental implants can offer a welcome alternative to ill-fitting dentures or bridgework.
How are Teeth Lost?
In many cases where too many teeth are missing, and there are no supporting teeth for bridges, loose dentures or more solid dental implants are the only choice to replace the teeth that are missing. Some causes for tooth loss include:
*Gum disease
*Dental caries disease
*Injury
Gum disease is a serious condition and affects millions of men, women, and children throughout the world. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that can be easily treated by adopting a proper brushing and flossing routine, while periodontitis is a more severe build-up of bacteria on the teeth and along the gum line that may eventually lead to bone loss.
You may develop various forms of gum disease from the following:
*Smoking and tobacco use
*Genetics
*Pregnancy
*Medications such as oral contraceptives and anti-depressants
*Grinding your teeth
*Diabetes
*Poor nutrition
It is important to constantly monitor your teeth if you fall into any of these categories. Protecting your teeth and maintaining proper dental health is vital to your overall health.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Before dental implants are placed, your bone density needs to be assessed to ensure that you have sufficient quality and quantity of bone tissue available where the implant will be placed. If there is insufficient bone or significant bone loss has occurred due to periodontal disease, then you may need bone grafting before the implant can be placed. In some cases, mini implants can be used if the bone density is too low for larger implants.
Once you have been assessed and the treatment is planned and explained, the appropriate implant system and size of the implant will be selected and surgically placed. The implants function as the root of your tooth, requiring a hole to be drilled into your jawbone to accommodate it. Local anesthesia is often used when placing an implant, but if you are anxious, you may choose to be sedated during your treatment instead. It is up to your dentist to decide what the best solution is.
A small hole is carefully drilled into your jawbone avoiding damage to nerves and other important facial structures. Once the hole has been drilled, the implant screw is either gently tapped or screwed into place ensuring a tight fit. With the implant securely in place, a protective screw cover or cap is placed over the implant and the gum tissue sutured over the top.
As with any restoration of your teeth, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last a long time. The loss of teeth can have a significant impact on a person's self-esteem due to aesthetic implications, but it can also cause bite problems and difficulties eating if not treated correctly and immediately. Talk to your dentist in Baltimore for more information on dental implants, and to see if they are an appropriate restoration procedure for restoring your smile.
by: Gen Wright
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