In cosmetic dentistry, dental implants are defined as artificial replacements for a lost tooth or teeth. Though there are several solutions to counter a lost tooth, none has proved as effective and reliable when it comes to replacing a lost tooth as a dental implant with respect to maintaining durability and the functional efficiency of the tooth.

What is the Need for Dental Implants?

Tooth loss can occur due to various reasons such as tooth decay, failure of the root canal procure, gum disease, excessive wear and tear, trauma to the mouth, and other congenital defects. Dental implants are much stronger than the restorative materials used for tooth loss or decay like crowns, bridges, and dentures. In fact, it is easier to use dental implants in collaboration with a restorative procedure. For instance, an implant can be used to support a crown, which replaces a missing tooth. Advancements in cosmetic dental implant procedures have contributed to thinner much narrower implants, and many people are opting for dental implants because of this.

The dental implants of today can barely be distinguished from the original tooth thanks to the structural and functional connection between the implant and the bone. In most cases, dental implants can be fixed in one sitting, but it takes anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks for its osseointegration.  This is the process where the direct anchorage between the implant root and jawbone occurs. An osseointegrated implant is the most common and successful type of cosmetic dental implants used today. It can take from 3 to 6 months for the implant root to heal and join the jawbone and your dentist can complete the procedure by placing a crown in the meanwhile.

Cosmetic Dental Implant Procedures

Placing the dental implant can be divided into two parts. The first is where the jaw is prepared for implantation. The implant is a titanium material screw and crown. A very small hole is made in the space of the lost tooth to guide the screw that will hold the implant. This has to be done very skillfully and carefully by the dentist in order not to damage pertinent vital face and jaw structures like the inferior alveolar nerve, which runs across the lower jaw.

The second step in placing the implant after the hole has been drilled in the jaw. This hole is widened slightly to provide space for the implant screw. After this implant is placed, a covering screw is placed on the top to provide for proper healing and the implant to anchor with the jawbone. After a gap of many months, this protective crown is removed and replaced with a temporary crown. This temporary crown lets the gum to grow and shape itself around the implant naturally. The procedure is complete when the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent one.

Cosmetic Dental Implant Success Rates

Dental implants are one of the most successful procedure in dental surgery. The success rate of dental implants has been established as 95% for the upper jaw and 90% for the lower jar for an average period of 5 years. Dental implants may fail for many reasons. However, the very logical reason is the improper osseointegration of the dental implant and the jawbone. Dental implants can also fail or break just like your regular teeth as well. If you smoke, your dentist will very likely inform you that you will have a higher success rate for your dental implant not failing if you can stop smoking before undergoing the procedure.

If you are a smoker who is considering a dental implant, your dentist will likely advise you to give up smoking before undergoing the process because smokers face a higher risk of implant failure. Since the procedure can be extremely expensive, you risk wasting your money on dental implants if you do not give up the habit.

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