Dental implant surgery requires the patient to satisfy certain conditions, which otherwise, would not qualify them for the procedure. The candidacy for implants is decided by the following:

• Jawbone health: This is perhaps one of the most important factors affecting the candidacy for dental implants. When a tooth is extracted, small bits of the jawbone will also be removed along with the tooth. This can initiate jawbone shrinkage or deterioration. In case you desire a dental implant but your jawbone isn’t strong enough to sustain the implant, you would have to undergo a bone graft. A bone graft is where bone tissues are extracted from a different source and grafted to the jawbone. Once its volume increases, the implant surgery can be carried out.
• Overall health: This should be stable. In case they are suffering from certain chronic diseases the dentist may not suggest you do not go for dental implants. These factors could influence the surgery or post-surgical healing period.
• Medication: When the patient is under certain medication, it could affect the healing of the site of surgery. In fact, it could even cause an infection, which is why it plays a major role in determining the candidacy for dental implants.
• Oral health: When the patient has any type of oral infection, it could delay the healing period or cause a much serious infection. If the healing of the gum tissues is delayed, it could make the implant less stable or visually apparent.
• Consent to surgery: If you wish to have a dental implant, you must be willing to undergo two surgeries. However, the mention of surgery should not instill panic in the minds of the patients. The surgeries would be performed by a trained dentist under the influence of local anesthesia so that the patient wouldn’t feel discomfort or pain.

Restoring missing teeth is of prime importance as it could avoid several potential oral issues. This is why dentists suggest their patients get them replaced as soon as possible using an implant. However, when it comes to tooth replacements, a lot of debate goes on regarding which is the better solution: dentures or implants? Here are some of the facts so that you can get a clearer idea about which one to choose.

• Removability: Implants are fused to the jawbone and, hence, are non-removable. Dentures are a set of prosthetic teeth that can be put on and removed whenever required.
• Strength: Since an implant is made from Titanium, it is very strong and durable. It exhibits higher levels of stability and firmness, which is why it is regarded as one of the strongest tooth replacement solutions. Dentures, however, are made from acrylic and ceramic (gums and teeth respectively). This makes them relatively not as strong.
• Stability: Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, which is why they are highly stable. They wouldn’t move or drift from their positions even when pressure is applied on them or upon biting and chewing hard foods. Dentures are simply placed in the mouth and held in place by the gums. They often tend to slip off and hence, aren’t very stable.
• Aesthetics: When it comes to oral appearance, both implants and dentures are good options. Both are composed of dental grade ceramic teeth that look exactly like natural ones. Dentures also have prosthetic gums made from acrylic, which makes them more visually pleasing.
• Jawbone health: Dental implants help prevent jawbone deterioration or shrinkage as they fill the gap where the tooth root existed. But, in the case of dentures, the prosthetic teeth do not replace the teeth roots and hence, the jawbone health would deteriorate over time.
• Longevity: Dental implants are known to last for several years with proper care. Dentures do last long, but in comparison to implants, they fall short.
• Cleaning: Cleaning an implant is simple and can be done just like brushing and flossing the natural teeth. Dentures will have to be taken out and cleaned using a special dentures cleaning solution.

Dental implants are widely regarded as the best replacement for extracted teeth. In comparison to their obvious alternatives, such as dentures and dental bridges, they have certain advantages.

Here are some of the benefits of dental implants:

• Prevent drifting of teeth: Since dental implants replace both the tooth root and the crown, the missing tooth is restored in its entirety, which prevents the teeth from drifting from their positions.
• Restore the functionality: A dental implant restores all these aspects and makes sure the oral functionality is back to normal.
• Supporting structure: An implant can be used to support, not only a replacement tooth, but also other structures such as a denture or dental bridge. They provide elevated levels of stability and hold the restoration firmly in position.
• Long-lasting: Dental implants are, by far, the longest lasting tooth restoration.
• High durability and strength: The implant is made from Titanium, which is one of the strongest and hardest metals. Once the implant stud adheres firmly to the jawbone, the chances of it breaking off are next to none.
• Amazing appearance: The visual similarity between a real tooth and a dental implant is so much that it is almost impossible to differentiate between them.

Losing a tooth or two can prove highly disadvantageous, both in terms of facial aesthetics and functionality of the mouth. The way the patient talks, bites and chews food, etc. will alter and they could be left feeling uncomfortable pretty often. This is why dentists give a lot of importance to replacing missing teeth.

When it comes to restoring extracted teeth, dental implants are considered as the best option, by dentists from all around the world. Implants offer superior properties both in terms of aesthetics as well as functionality. This is what puts them ahead of their obvious alternatives such as bridges, dentures, and partials.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth replacement appliance that is composed of a titanium root, titanium abutment (connector) that screws into the implant, and a visible ceramic tooth structure. The titanium root has grooves on its surface that allow it to be screwed in place and stay firmly in position. The visible crown looks exactly like a tooth. It is most often made from ceramic, which allows it to be shaped into any contour required and matched exactly with the shade of the remaining teeth. This way, dental implants provide the required stability as well as the perfect aesthetics.

Why are dental implants the best way to restore missing teeth?

• Implants replace an entire tooth from root to crown. This way, the gap left by a missing tooth is completely filled up.
• Since an implant replaces the root structure as well, the chances of the remaining teeth drifting from their positions are eliminated.
• An implant looks exactly like a natural tooth, and hence, the smile would be restored back to its ideal appearance.
• The ability to bite and chew food like normal would be restored. Also, the pressure distribution on the teeth would be uniform.

We all know that dental implants are regarded as the best tooth replacement solution by dentists from all around the world. But what makes them so much better in comparison to their alternatives? What advantages do they bring to the table that allows them to provide the best aesthetics and functionality?

Here’s why you should choose dental implants:

• High stability:Dental implants are composed of a Titanium root and a ceramic crown. Titanium is one of the strongest and hardest metals. This keeps the implant firmly attached to the jawbone as the grooves on the titanium root help to hold it in position.
• High strength:Dental implants are, by far, the strongest prosthetic replacement teeth.
• High durability:The ceramic tooth structure displays high resistance to wear. With proper care, the implant would last for several years.
• Stain-resistant:The implant crown doesn’t stain. With proper cleaning (brushing and flossing), the implant would look as good as new for a long time.
• Excellent aesthetics:Such is the visual similarity between a natural tooth and a dental implant. It can be made to match the exact shade of your remaining teeth.
• Functionality:When a tooth goes missing, the way you bite and chew food, speak, smile, etc. will vary. This can lead to further complications such as malocclusion, excessive wear of teeth, jawbone deterioration, etc., with implants, the biting and chewing ability would be fully restored. Also, the phonetics would be back to normal.
• Support:Implant roots can also be used for other purposes, such as holding crowns, dentures, and bridges in position. Implants would provide high strength and stability to them.