When teeth are irreparably damaged or lost due to mouth trauma, aging or poor oral hygiene, cosmetic dentists often turn to dental implants as the ideal solution. There are other treatments available, such as bridges or dentures, but none appear as natural or work as effectively as implants.

The loss of a tooth can make a person self-conscious or embarrassed to smile or talk. Worse, it can affect dietary habits by causing a biting irregularity or gum pain. Dental implants offer a simple, permanent solution.

Dental Implants Similar in Appearance to Natural Teeth

Cosmetic dentists and patients alike prefer the appearance of dental implants to other treatments because when done properly, they are indistinguishable from your other teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will select a tooth shape and shade to match your natural teeth, while the implant holds it into the gum line just as the root of your tooth holds a natural tooth in place.

The technical term for a dental implant is osseointegrated implant, meaning that it holds the tooth in place by anchoring it to the bone. While this evokes fear in the hearts of many, especially those with a low pain tolerance, the procedure is actually quite simple.

Dental Implants Tolerated Well By Natural Bone

The dental implants that holds the tooth in place is constructed of titanium or titanium alloy. Over several years of testing, these materials have been proven to be tolerated well by your natural bone. This means that the implant will stay in place without causing damage or irritation to the jawbone.

The implant itself is cylindrical, much like a screw. There are different types available and your cosmetic dentist will choose the type that best suits your situation. The cosmetic or prosthetic dentist prepares your mouth by drilling a hole into the jawbone to house the implant. This requires great precision and should only be practiced by a licensed, experienced implant dentist.

If the implant is threaded, it is screwed into place. Conversely, it may be tapped in if it has a smooth surface. Once it is in place, a waiting period of three to six months begins. This time is known as osseointegration, and simply allows the implant to anchor itself within the bone. The implant is covered with a protective screw cap until the site has healed. During this period, you may wear dentures or a bridge over the implant to cover the missing tooth. After a few months, a temporary crown is attached to the implant to encourage the gums to grow naturally around the new tooth.

Putting - and Keeping - Your New Tooth in Place

Once the cosmetic dentist has confirmed the implant is stable, the temporary crown is replaced with a permanent one that best matches the size, shape and colour of your natural teeth. Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in cosmetic and prosthetic dentistry, with a 90% success rate in the upper jaw and 95% in the lower jaw after five years.

Dental implants sometimes fail because osseointegration did not occur. In that case, the site may become infected, or the implant may separate from the bone. If you are a smoker, your cosmetic dentist will recommend that you quit as smokers have higher dental implant failure rates. Because dental implants are expensive, it is worth it to stop smoking before having the procedure.

Poor oral hygiene can cause peri-implantitis, or gum infection around the new tooth. Brushing for at least two minutes three times a day, flossing and visiting your dentist every six months are important steps in ensuring the success of your dental implant.

Implant Options For People With Several Missing Teeth

Cosmetic dentists have created a number of uses for dental implants to improve the quality of a patient's smile when teeth are missing. For example, a patient missing all of their bottom teeth might be suitable for multiple implants. If the quality of their jawbone will not permit such extensive work, the cosmetic dentist might be able to use a technique known as an "overdenture"; two implants are used to hold a bottom denture in place. The denture is still taken out for cleaning, but the implants make it much more stable throughout the day.

This procedure can also be used on the upper jaw, although more implants are required to hold the denture in place because the upper jawbone is softer than the lower one.

Your cosmetic dentist might choose to use a combination of treatments to return your smile to its natural beauty. Better yet, it may look better than it ever has before! They could decide to use an implant to anchor a bridge, or to have a single implant replace two missing teeth. These are decisions that can only be made by a qualified prosthetic or cosmetic dentist after a careful review of your oral health, budget and anticipated results.

Maintaining Your Whitest, Brightest Smile After Dental Implants

Once your dental implants and permanent crowns are in place, it is crucial that you take good care of your natural teeth. Because the crowns will not stain and discolour as your natural teeth will, keep your real teeth looking their best.

Consult with your cosmetic dentist about using an at-home whitening treatment to keep your teeth as close to the crown colour as possible. Take good care of your gums by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist at the first sign of any gum irritation or tooth decay.

Your cosmetic dentist might recommend that you use a straw for drinking, even when you have coffee or tea, to prevent discolouration so you can avoid teeth whitening treatments. Whatever the course of action, do your part to ensure the success of your dental implants by maintaining good oral hygiene and cutting out bad habits that could affect their quality.