Over the years, cultures have devised ways to replace missing teeth. Some cultures used bamboo, while others used animal teeth. Dentistry has undergone massive development in techniques and solutions in the last hundred years. Dental technologies have also developed significantly. Now, options to replace missing teeth are much better, more efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.


Of the tooth replacement options available, one towers above all the rest in terms of function, aesthetics, and durability: dental implants. They provide replacement roots for your missing teeth with an artificial crown attached to them. They are permanent and function like natural teeth. Unlike other options, they not only replace the missing teeth but also improve your oral health.


So, what should you ask a dentist before you get dental implants?
 

Will the Dental Implant Improve My Oral Health?

As mentioned above, a dental implant fills in the place of a missing tooth or a group of missing teeth. They function and feel like natural teeth because they are implanted deep into your jawbone. When the dentist removes the remainder of the tooth, if there is any, they implant the titanium screw. Once implanted, the titanium screw stimulates bone growth around itself because the body does not recognize it as a foreign object.


According to the American Dental Association, titanium implants have improved dental treatments over the past 40 years. Compared to other replacement options that require replacement and weaken the jawbone, implants do so much more.
 

What Would Happen If I Do Not Replace My Missing Tooth or Teeth?

 
When you lose a tooth, the first thing you will notice is that chewing becomes difficult. Food particles enter the gap, which can be uncomfortable. Next, the neighboring teeth will shift slowly to try and fill in the space between them. The shift, in turn, creates gaps between the other teeth, making chewing harder. After this, your jawbone under the place where your tooth was begins to deteriorate. Over time, your face may start to sag because of the bone loss.
 

How Long Will My Implants Last?

Studies into the durability of implants show that 95 percent of implants last 13 to 20 years or more. Since this study included earlier versions of implants, there is a chance the numbers are higher today. The technology and techniques for implantology have improved significantly. They have been enhanced to boost healing time and stimulate better bone integration.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

 

With all surgeries, there is always the risk of failure. It is the same with dental implants. Sometimes, your implant may fail to integrate, and the implant loosens. However, the chances of this happening with dental implants are very low. Dental implantology has grown over the past few years, and the success rate is currently at 95 percent, as noted.


Dental implants used to fail because of insufficient bone mass in the patient. Nowadays, dentists perform bone grafts to increase bone mass if you have poor bone mass or density.

What Is Your Experience With Dental Implantology?

One of the most important questions you should ask your dentist is this one. You want to find a dentist with significant experience performing implants. The more experienced, the higher the chance of success and the better the results.


For more about dental implants, visit bty DENTAL at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska. Call (907) 333-6666 to book an appointment today.