235 North Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067
Candre, Francis C D.D.S.
855 E Palatine Rd # 260
Palatine, IL, 60074-5500
Hicks Family Dental Clinic
2381 N Hicks Rd
Palatine, IL, 60074
(847) 359-9100
Kotsiopoulos, Peter J D.D.S.
135 W Johnson St # 6
Palatine, IL, 60067-6182
Donovan, Michael T D.D.S.
1332 N Rand Rd
Palatine, IL, 60074-2918
Compared to previous generations when tooth loss was common, modern dentistry has made it possible for people to keep their teeth healthy and attractive for their entire lives. But for people who have experienced tooth loss, a full or partial denture has been the answer.
But dentures have drawbacks. Food gets caught under the denture with resulting sore gums. Or a denture can loosen and cause embarrassment.
Today, dental implants can replace missing teeth. Although the concept of a tooth implant is not new, advances in technology have improved the treatment process and the longevity of implants.
Modern day dental implants are made of pure titanium and are surgically inserted in the jawbone. The tooth implant is covered with gum tissue and allowed to heal for three to six months. During this time, the titanium meshes with the bone (osseointegration), becoming part of the jawbone itself. After the gums are healed, the implants are uncovered and permanent tooth replacements are attached to the implants.
Dental implants can be used for single tooth replacements, support for a permanent bridge, or as attachments to anchor a full denture securely to the jaw.
If you think a tooth implant could help you or someone you know chew more comfortably, speak more clearly, or look better, call your dental office for more details.
By Laura Minsk, DMD
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
In implant dentistry, devices are used to replace missing teeth. They are made of titanium, an inert metal that bonds with the bone, forming a very tight union called osseointegration. The modern system of dental implants, the endosseous system, is extremely successful and has a 90% to 95% success rate.
The dental implant itself replaces the root of the tooth. It is usually in the shape of a screw or a cylinder. The implant connects to a component (the abutment) that joins the implant to the replacement tooth (the crown).
Dental implants are ideal replacements for teeth. When healthy teeth have to be prepared for crowns or bridges, healthy tooth structure needs to be removed. But if only one tooth is missing, the dental implant can simply replace it without having to sacrifice the adjacent teeth.
Dental implants can also be used to replace many missing teeth. Multiple teeth can be replaced with implant dentistry and can avoid the need for a removable denture. Removable dentures can be hard to get used to. They may have clasps that can be unsightly and put additional stress on the existing teeth. Full dentures may be difficult to wear and may interfere with eating and speaking. People who wear dentures for a long time may have additional loss of the bone that supports the denture. This bone loss can be accelerated by osteoporosis, and eventually dentures may be very difficult to wear if not impossible. Poor-fitting dentures can interfere with proper nutrition and quality of life.
Generally, one implant is needed to replace each missing tooth. In some situations, several implants need to be joined together into a bridge. This adds greater strength to the implant restoration. If there is not enough bone available to replace a whole set of teeth, implants may be used as anchors for dentures. When dentures are supported by implants they can be much more stable and the implants help prevent the deterioration of the bone that supports the denture.
The endosseous system of implant dentistry has been used for over 30 years. They can look and feel like natural teeth, adding comfort and improving the smile of people of all ages.
By Laura Minsk, DMD
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
