If you have experienced tooth loss, you may be considering dental implants as a treatment option. You’re not alone. This method of tooth replacement is becoming increasingly popular among patients due to its numerous benefits.
As you explore the different ways to replace your missing tooth (or teeth), you’ll gather a lot of information. You may even come across some facts that surprise you, especially in regard to dental implants.
Patients in need of treatment for tooth loss should consult with an oral surgeon to learn more about these devices and the treatment process.
Four Surprising Dental Implant Facts
You may know the basics about dental implants. The devices are small titanium cylinders placed into the jaw by an oral surgeon. The bone tissue fuses with the implant and leaves it as a fixture in the jaw to support a crown, bridge or denture.
Here are a few lesser-known facts about dental implants. Some may be considerations in choosing this treatment.
- The technology behind dental implants was discovered by accident: A Swedish scientist was studying the process of healing in bone after surgery when he noticed that bone tissue fused with a titanium device inserted in the bone.
- Dental implants help you maintain a healthy diet: The bond between bone and implant helps to facilitate chewing in the same way that a biological tooth does.
- Adequate bone tissue is essential to dental implant success: Osseointegration is instrumental to dental implant success, so patients must have enough bone tissue to complete this process. Patients who have experienced bone loss may need to undergo a bone graft.
- Dental implants are the only structurally complete tooth replacement option: Alternatives lack the root-like structure provided by dental implants.
Why You Should Consider Dental Implants
Patients who choose dental implants enjoy a number of benefits in comparison to replacing missing teeth with conventional appliances, including fixed dental bridges and dentures. Dental implants are more:
- Durable
- Reliable
- Convenient
- Comfortable
Additionally, because dental implants stand alone, they do not impact surrounding teeth, unlike traditional fixed dental bridges, which require healthy tooth enamel to be sacrificed for the placement of crowns to support the pontic (artificial tooth).
We encourage patients who are exploring their tooth replacement options to call Jackson Oral Surgery and schedule a no-obligation consultation to get the facts about dental implants and decide whether this treatment is the right choice for them.