The loss of a tooth or teeth has several long term consequences.
The
bone in the site will slowly disappear as it no longer has
a function.
Adjacent
teeth will tend to drift into the extraction space.
The
remaining teeth may be required to take additional loads.
The
loss of bone may make dentures more unstable.
Dental
implants help to preserve the jaw bone and can provide a secure
anchorage for crowns,bridges and dentures.
What
is an implant? A modern implant is a titanium cylinder or screw. It is made
of titanium because this material is accepted by the body and,
when placed carefully inside the jaw bone, the bone grows onto
the specially treated surface over a period of time. The implant
has an internal thread and, after the healing has taken place,
the thread can be used to screw on a crown, part of a bridge or
a structure to support a denture.
A
single missing tooth can be replaced aesthetically without
the need to drill adjacent teeth. This is especially valuable
at the front of the mouth.
Implants after the loss of all teeth.
Implants can be used to give greater support and stability
to removable dentures after all natural teeth have been
lost. Specially made dentures can clip onto a bar, which
is held firmly by implants in the jaw bone.
