A dental implant is a tooth-replacement device that is constructed from titanium, a biocompatible metal, Although there are multiple prosthetic options to replace lost teeth, there are a number of reasons that a dentist may suggest an implant. Here are a few of them.

You Have a Large Number of Missing Teeth and Want a Stable Prosthetic

Although an implant can be used for the restoration of a single tooth, the device may also serve as a support for a multi-teeth prosthetic, such as a denture. A full denture is used to replace an entire palate of teeth. Although the denture is designed for an exact fit based on the contours of the oral cavity, it may still slip about a bit. Movement is especially common for a bottom denture since a lower palate is occupied by the tongue. An upper denture forms suction as it presses firmly against the roof of the mouth.

Dentists can insert dental implants in strategic places along the gum line. After insertion, the implants can be attached and detached from the underside of traditional dentures, offering firm stabilization and easy removal for cleaning.

Implants can also be used as anchors for other devices, such as all-on-four implants, which are considered permanent appliances. The implants are connected to permanent devices using screws that are installed by the dentist. 

You Desire the Most Natural-Looking Single-Tooth Prosthetic

In order for a replacement tooth to look natural, the gums around the device must have similar contours to those around the patient's natural teeth. After a dental implant has been placed and the resulting wound has healed, a secondary procedure is performed to contour the gingival tissues around the device. As a result, the gums have a rounded shape that makes the dental restoration difficult to discern in the mouth.

Additionally, the implant is topped by an abutment and a tooth-shaped dental crown. The crown can even be colored to match the patient's natural tooth shade.

You Desire to Preserve Your Youthful Appearance

People often look older as the jawbone atrophies with age. As teeth are lost, the jawbone does not receive the stimulation that it needs to maintain its mass. Dental implants are inserted in the bone of the jaw. As a result, as a patient chews or bites, the mastication pressure is transferred to the bone, stimulating new cell production.

To learn more about dental implant treatments, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.