Are Dental Implants Considered Restorative? This is a question that many people may have when facing tooth loss or damage. With advancements in dentistry, there are now multiple options available to restore missing teeth. However, dental implants have gained significant attention in recent years for their ability to provide a long-term solution that both looks and feels like a natural tooth. In this article, we will explore the question of whether dental implants can be considered restorative and discuss their benefits compared to other traditional methods. So, if you’re looking for a permanent solution to replace missing teeth, keep reading to learn more about this highly sought after restorative option.
Thanks to modern advancements in dentistry, there are now various options for restoring missing teeth. One popular solution is dental implants, which offer a permanent and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. However, many patients wonder if dental implants are considered restorative in nature. In this article, we will dive into the topic and provide detailed information on whether or not dental implants can be classified as a restorative treatment.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots that are placed into the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth. They are typically made of titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong and durable support structure for the replacement teeth.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants refer to those that are placed directly into the jawbone. They are the most common type of implant and require healthy bone tissue for successful placement.
Subperiosteal implants, on the other hand, are placed on top of the jawbone but underneath the gum tissue. This type is typically used when there is not enough healthy bone to support endosteal implants.
The Restorative Aspect of Dental Implants
Restorative dentistry focuses on replacing or restoring damaged or missing teeth in order to improve both function and aesthetics. With this in mind, it is no surprise that dental implants fall under this category as they serve as replacements for missing teeth.
When a tooth is lost due to decay or trauma, it not only affects your ability to eat and speak properly but also impacts your overall oral health. Adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, causing misalignment and bite problems. Additionally, jawbone can start to deteriorate without stimulation from tooth roots, leading to further issues with tooth loss.
Dental implants address all these concerns by providing a permanent solution for missing teeth. By replacing both the root and crown portion of a tooth, dental implants restore proper function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Moreover, since they fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration, they stimulate new bone growth and maintain proper density in the jaw.
Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants over Other Restorative Options
While there are several options for replacing missing teeth such as dentures and bridges, dental implants offer unique benefits that make them stand out as an ideal restorative treatment option.
- Durability: Unlike dentures or bridges which may need repairs or replacements over time, dental implants have an incredibly high success rate (over 95%) making them extremely durable.
- Natural Appearance: Since they are designed to mimic natural tooth roots and topped with custom-made crowns designed to match the color and shape of your existing teeth, dental implants look incredibly natural.
- Promotes Oral Health: The restoration of missing teeth through dental implants helps maintain proper oral health by preventing issues like bone loss and misalignment.
- Long-Term Cost Savings: Although initial investment may seem higher compared to other restorative options like dentures or bridges, it’s important to consider long-term costs associated with maintenance or replacements.
- No Dietary Restrictions: Unlike dentures which require dietary restrictions due to risk of displacement while eating tough foods like steak or apples seeds,
dental
implants do
not have such restrictions as they function just like natural teeth.
Candidates for Dental Implants
In order for dental implant surgery to be successful candidates must meet certain criteria:
- Adequate Bone Density: In order for osseointegration (the process where implant fuses with bone) take place successfully more than adequate amount healthy alveolar bone is important.
- Good General Health:Certain medical conditions can interfere with healing process; consultation prior by one’s physician at our practice allows us make decisions mutully based upon your medical history.
- No Active Gum Disease:A problem left untreated could compromise procedure success; hence we address perio-problems first so project is carried out effectively.
- No smoking; smokers’ rate od failure ridsk higher smoking obstructs healing process even effecting osseintegration too.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The first step in getting dental implants involves a thorough evaluation by a specialized dentist experienced in placing these restorations.