“When do I need dental implant” is a frequent question that is often asked by patients who are exploring the options and opportunities associated with modern dental implant technology. Before determining if a patient will benefit from dental implants it is probably first important to know what they are in the most basic of terms. The dental implants in use today were originally invented in the early 1950s by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon. Today they have enjoyed great success over a wide range of applications and help patients experience a better quality of life, greater dental functionality and improved appearance. In fact, dental implants are actually considered the standard in care when it comes to replacing missing teeth that have been lost through disease, injury or trauma. A dental implant is simply a surgical fixture that is affixed into the jawbone and that eventually fuses with the jawbone.

Without Interfering With Nearby Teeth

Most interestingly, the fusion of a dental implant to bone only takes a few months. A dental implant simply acts as a replacement root for a tooth that has gone missing. The artificial root becomes a firm and secure replacement tooth that can then accept a bridge or crown. It is important to note that a dental implant is considered the closest replacement to a natural tooth because it is able to stand securely on its own without interfering with nearby teeth. In short, an implant has impressive stability and long-term durability. Few other modern dental technologies can compare when it comes to dental implants. Today modern implants are made of incredibly strong and reliable titanium. Most importantly, titanium integrates well with human bone and is typically not recognized by the body as a foreign object so there is never a concern for rejection.

Full Restoration in Terms of Functionality and Aesthetics

As time has progressed, the technology and science associated with dental implants has improved substantially allowing patients to enjoy incredibly high success levels when having implants placed. Some estimates calculate dental implant placement success rates at nearly 99%. This is impressive by any measure and is important because it allows patients to have a reliable and dependable tooth replacement option that was not available even just a few decades ago. In terms of who would require dental implants, there are many answers in that regard. Those wishing to enjoy a full restoration as far as functionality and aesthetics can benefit greatly from dental implants. They can be used in patients who require a single tooth replacement as well as those who require several teeth to be completely replaced. There are many factors that must be taken into account with regard to implants. This includes everything from the location of missing teeth to the overall health of the patient in addition to the general quality of the jawbone where the dental implants are to be placed. Contact your Elk Grove dentist, Dr. My Huynh at Laguna Park Dentistry today to learn more.