Lost or missing teeth can be a source of depression and difficulty. The missing teeth can make you feel less attractive or make it difficult to eat. There are options available for the replacement of missing teeth. Dentures and bridges are common replacement methods that can correct the dental issue for several years at a time. However, there is a solution that is more permanent: dental implants. Read on to learn more about dental implants and three reasons why they are the best option for you.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is installed as a replacement for a damaged or missing tooth. The most commonly performed dental implant is known as an endosteal implant. This implant is implanted directly into the jawbone. Other examples of dental implants are the subperiosteal implant, placed on top of the jawbone, and the transosteal implant that is placed through the bone and anchored beneath it. 

The artificial tooth used in the endosteal implant can be made from several materials and will vary in appearance based on the materials and craftsmanship utilized. These artificial teeth are crafted in three parts, known as the base, abutment, and crown. These components are used to simulate a natural tooth.

The base is used to replicate the anchor function of a natural tooth root. The abutment connects the base and crown. The crown is used for the actual process of eating. It is the visible part of the tooth.

Why Get a Dental Implant?

There are three primary reasons to choose a dental implant over other options such as dentures. Those three reasons are:

1. Permanency - A dental implant can last for decades if performed properly and high-grade materials are used. Examples of commonly used high-grade materials are titanium and zirconium. In fact, the first modern endosteal implant ever performed was so successful that it outlived its owner, Gosta Larsson, who died forty years after the procedure was performed.
2. Simplicity - The three component designs of the implant can make it seem complicated. However, the process of having the implanted installed is very simple. The process is taken in stages. The base will be installed first. After the jawbone fuses with the implant, the abutment will be added. The crown will be placed after the gums have healed and the implant is deemed stable.
3. Maintenance - The dental implant process will leave you with a permanent false tooth that can be treated in the same manner as a natural tooth. The only care and maintenance required is standard dental hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash. During routine check-ups the dentist will probably check your implant to make certain that it has not loosened, but that is usually the extent of any specific care requirements.

Dental implants are simple, maintenance-free, and permanent solutions for tooth loss. If you want to know more about how effective a dental implant will be for your personal tooth loss situation, please contact your local dentist, like Arrowhead Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, for further information.