When you lose a tooth, there are some changes that are going to take place in your mouth. Some of the jawbone in that area will be partially reabsorbed – between 40 and 60 percent, which means that it will become thinner as some of the calcium and other minerals are leached out of it. This will also likely cause some drifting of nearby teeth, which may cause them to become misaligned.
Depending on how many missing teeth there are at the same place, it can also cause a change in your jaw, tissue around your mouth, and your smile. Dental implants can prevent these problems because it will fill in the gap and prevent bone loss.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, some of them, or even all of them. They consist of three components: a post, an abutment, and a crown. The post is made of titanium, which is a metal that is biocompatible. As it heals, the bone and gums will naturally grow around the post and attach to it.
In order to be considered as a good candidate for the tooth implant process, you need to have healthy gums and sufficient jawbone. For individuals who do not meet these qualifications, surgery can be conducted beforehand, which could include gum grafting and bone grafting. An alternative method is also available.
An implant can be used in multiple configurations. They can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. When replacing multiple teeth that are side-by-side, two posts may be installed at both ends of the gap, and the multiple teeth may be connected by a bridge. Neighboring teeth are not in any way touched by this procedure.
When all the teeth are missing in an upper or lower jaw, two or four implants can be placed in the jaw. A denture is made that will attach to the posts, and it is removable.