Dental Implants 2

Close Unsightly Gaps in Your Smile with Dental Implants

Many older people have partial or full dentures as a result of the lack of attention to dental care in past times. Once the teeth were at a point where extensive dental work was needed to correct this neglect, the option people took was to remove their remaining teeth, and replace them with dentures. Dental implants were unheard of back then, and dentures were considered to be a good solution, as the patient again had a set of perfect teeth. It ignored the long-term effects of not being able to enjoy some foods any longer, and the eventual collapse of bone that would see their facial features change over time.
 
Fortunately, there are many more options open to dental patients in this day and age. A full denture could likely be considered the last resort by a dentist Brisbane and other alternatives would certainly be explored and offered in the first instance. Dental implants, for example, are becoming increasingly popular in situations where one or two teeth are missing, and the patient wants to improve their appearance.
 
Dental implants are placed into the jaw as a replacement for a natural tooth root. They are particularly effective in replacing a missing, diseased or broken tooth, and are also used as a foundation for a crown, or to hold attachments that anchor a bridge or denture. Dental implants are not suitable for everyone, but in cases where the patient is assessed by a dental professional and found to be suitable, success rates are high.
 
People don't realise how important it is to replace a missing tooth, mainly because they are unaware of the overall effect this has on their dental structure. The teeth on either side of the gap can move and open up spaces between the teeth that become packed with food. This is a perfect environment for plaque to form, causing gum disease and decay. Filling the gap with a dental implant will prevent this from happening.
 
A further benefit of a dental implant is that it will work the same way as a natural tooth does to stimulate the bone. Bone is a living tissue and needs stimulation to keep its function. Without it, the bone dies, leading to a collapse which can result in loss of facial support. A missing tooth also weakens the ability of the rest of the teeth to work under load, which is what happens when we eat. A consultation with a dentist Brisbane is the starting point for anyone wanting to better understand the benefits of dental implants.
 
Not every dental patient is suitable for this procedure, but generally people in good health who are not smokers will be accepted. It is a more expensive procedure as it involves minor surgery, but for the right situation, it gives the patient back the sensation of having their own natural tooth.