What is Proper Dental Work?

If you hate visiting the dentist, let me assure you that you are not alone. For a long time, I dreaded my yearly appointment with my orthodontist with vigor and gusto. There were even instances where I conveniently forgot an appointment made and rescheduled…several times.

However, it’s a fact of life that it’s important to care for our mouths – obviously, this includes our teeth. Brushing our teeth, flossing them and our gums; all of these things are critical for maintaining hygiene. However, sometimes with age or other factors, the health of a tooth can decline, and it might break or need replaced.

That is when something like dental implants come into play. To understand what they are and how they work, along with any potential benefits that can be gained from them, persist with this article. You just might learn something valuable!

What are Dental Implants?

This is the big question to answer first – so, if you’re looking for some further reading on the topic, you could start by checking here: https://journals.lww.com/implantdent/Fulltext/2003/12040/Dental_Implant_Design_and_Its_Relationship_to.11.aspx. It is a bit complex and filled with some high-level concepts, I still think it is valuable.

They are made of a few different components. First, there is what is known as the implant screw. It is what it sounds like – a screw made of a metal alloy. Usually, it is titanium because it is something compatible with the body. This is known as “biocompatibility,” so consider asking your orthodontist about it if you are considering them.

How it works is this part is screwed into the jawbone. It is intended to mimic a natural root of a tooth and is inserted to assist in the process of allowing the fake tooth to fuse to your bone as time passes. This ensures they will not come loose.

After that is the abutment. This is what connects the screw to the replacement teeth. Usually, they are also made of metal, probably more titanium. They serve as an anchor, making them an important facet.

After that there are the implants themselves, sometimes referred to as restorations. They can take a few forms, such as a singular crown or even a bridge spanning the entirety of the mouth. This depends on patient preference and necessity – if there is extensive oral damage, the latter might be recommended to ensure a higher quality of life overall.

How do they Work?

As I mentioned before, there are a few types of them. One is a full mouth, otherwise known as all on 4 dental implants, which are usually used for a full row of teeth. Traditionally, an implant is for one tooth, securing a crown to the jawbone via the abutment. However, with this method, multiple teeth can be replaced.

One type are implant-supported dentures, which are a way of increasing the stability of a set of dentures. Because they can slide around in the mouth and be inconvenient, having a set that can connect to these and snap onto them can help mitigate these issues. If you already have a set of dentures, it might be worth bringing up to your dentist, especially if you feel they are causing you some trouble.

Next there are the aforementioned all on four set. As you can imagine, there are four screws used to insert these into the jaw and gums. They are permanent due to this and fixed quite tightly to your mouth. Generally, the new teeth are made of porcelain, though resin and other materials are also available.

The main part of these is that they provide stability and strength for whoever is using them. This is far more than a pair of dentures could, just as an example. Because the new roots are made from a metal as strong as titanium, they are not likely to get loose. They can last for a whole lifetime, in fact, with the proper care.

The final variety I’ll discuss today are zirconia full arches. They are made of zirconium as the name implies, which can mimic the appearance of ceramic and look natural while remaining strong.  There is still not a lot of information on them, so if you’re curious, just ask your trusted healthcare provider. Hopefully they can provide further insight.

Are They Worth it?

While this is at the end of the day a very personal question, the answer to it is most likely yes. They can mimic the appearance of natural teeth while also giving needed strength and stability that other options for replacement might not provide. You can read further on this page, but there are plenty of other factors to consider when you start to think about getting them as well.

One is overall improved self-esteem that comes from having a bright and beautiful smile again.  Broken or otherwise damaged teeth can make us feel self-conscious, to say the least. While it’s not entirely fair, it’s a fact that part of our beauty standard is to have white teeth. So, keeping them maintained and sticking to this standard can raise our levels of self-esteem and make us feel better about ourselves.

On a similar note, they can also give us the appearance of having better bone structure, because your cheeks will not sink in, and your jaw becomes more distinct. They can also help reduce any levels of deterioration of your jawbone.

Implants are also a solution that can last a very long time. To ensure this, you can invest in getting a toothbrush with softer bristles, perhaps made of nylon, and you can be sure to floss every day.  While it’s easy to forget, we should do our best to remember to. I find that setting an alarm helps me do this.

Plaque buildup is inevitable no matter what we end up consuming. Even the healthiest eaters still have some. That’s why taking care of our mouths is so critical. This includes in the aftermath of getting dental implants. So, make sure to consult with your dentist and determine a good routine for you.