Most people take utmost care of their oral health. There are however times when you might lose a tooth secondary to different issues. Tooth loss is one of the most common issues which not only affect smiles but also impact a patient’s dental health.
Cosmetic dentistry has a range of options for the treatment of tooth loss. One of the management modalities available at a Meridian dental care center is the placement of a dental implant. This is a high-tech tooth replacement which mimics an entire tooth structure.
The implant is made of a zirconia or titanium root which is placed into your jawbone and used to support other dental appliances. Here are some of the indications for dental implants.
Replacement of Missing Teeth
This is the most common indication for the placement of dental implants. You can opt for a different treatment for one missing tooth, but several missing teeth pose a challenge. In the past, dentures and fixed bridges were the mainstay treatments for replacing several missing teeth.
These treatments, however, led to jaw bone shrinkage and needed constant refitting. The clasps used to fit the bridges and dentures would also burrow into adjacent teeth. The dental implants used nowadays to replace missing teeth serve as permanent bases for the placement of bridges and crowns.
They transmit chewing forces throughout your jaws and hence preserve the volume of your jawbone and are stronger and more comfortable than bridges and dentures.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
It is common to fracture or lose teeth in sports injuries, fights, and accidents. In these cases, the socket left with the lost tooth should be immediately filled to avert bacterial infections. If your tooth is severely fractured its extraction and placement of an implant, then an artificial tooth is the course of treatment.
Severe Periodontal Disease
Periodontal diseases are unfortunately commonly diagnosed when they are at an advanced stage. At this time, your jawbone is severely infected, the teeth are mobile, and you are in excruciating pain.
Extraction of the affected teeth to treat the jawbone is the ideal treatment choice. After efficient treatment with antibiotics, the space in the jawbone is filled with an implant. Most patients with severe periodontal disease require bone grafting before the implant placement.
Failed Root Canal Procedures
There are times when you might experience dental pain after a root canal. Mild discomfort after the procedure is normal but excruciating pain coupled with swelling is not.
In most cases, this follows severely decayed teeth or an infection to the surgical site. The ideal treatment option, in this case, is the removal of the diseased tooth and the placement of an implant.
Most of the above indications have alternative treatment options which might be cheaper and faster compared with the placement of implants. Dental implants are however longer lasting and more reliable and natural looking compared to other cosmetic dental appliances.
They also have a high success rate, give you an improved chewing ability and will improve your facial features by preserving your jawbone structure. They are hence a perfect solution for long-term dental health and a perfect smile.