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Can
They Improve Your Life?
The truth is,
there have been very few advances in Cosmetic Dentistry that
have had as great an impact as Dental Implants. So, what exactly
are Dental Implants? Quite simply, an Implant is a titanium
screw used to replace the missing or damaged root. They can
be used to replace a single missing tooth or to anchor multiple
teeth together, as with a bridge or a denture. Dentures will
be necessary whenever all the teeth are missing in either
upper or lower jaw. Following a general period of healing,
where the implant fuses with the bone tissue, a single crown,
a bridge or denture is placed over the implant(s).
The benefits of Dental Implants can be quite dramatic in patients of
all ages with loose, missing, or decayed teeth, which have occurred
either naturally or through an accident. Whether the choice for this
type of treatment is made for oral health or simply cosmetic reasons,
there is absolutely no substitute for the gift of a healthy, attractive
smile. Without question, it affects self-esteem, job performance, energy
levels and social interaction.
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Simply
stated, Dental Implants will surely improve the quality
of life through the following important benefits:
-
Prevent bone
loss, by halting and even reversing the bone loss that
typically results from losing teeth.
-
Eliminate
gum irritation and the pain of exposed nerves associated
with conventional full or partial dentures.
-
Allow you
to speak with confidence in a relaxed and natural tone.
-
Eliminate
the inconvenience of messy denture adhesives that must
be re-applied throughout the day.
-
Eliminate
the need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile,
worried that your denture will pop out or fall down.
-
Restore chewing
efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth, as well
as, the natural ability to taste and enjoy your food.
This also promotes better nutrition.
-
Improve your
appearance, since dental implants look, feel and function
like natural teeth.
-
Improve your
self-esteem and confidence with a healthy smile.
The complete
procedure generally takes about 4-6 months for upper jaw and
3 months for lower jaw. Success rates will range between 85
- 100%, depending first of all, upon where the implants are
placed and secondly, whether they're placed into natural bone
or grafted bone tissue. A significant consideration affecting
failure rates is whether or not the patient is a smoker. When
a patient smokes, it's been shown that they are statistically
two and a half times more likely to have an implant fail than
a non-smoker.
Daily brushing
and flossing are absolutely necessary for long-term success.
The good news here is that there are lots of supplemental
products that will allow you to clean and maintain the implants
properly. With that being said, undoubtedly, the best steps
to take in avoiding ailing or failing dental implants are
to implement a program of recommended oral hygiene, and regularly
scheduled diagnostic visits with your dentist.
As to how to
answer the questions relating to exactly how long Dental Implants
will last, it's important to note that the first implant recipient,
dating back to 1965 still has his original implants, healthy
and function to this day. So, with proper care there's every
reason to believe that your implants can be in good health
and with you for the rest of your life. |
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