This four-part article series provides a comprehensive FAQ guide to dental implants, what they are, how they work and the various options available to patients who have lost one, several or most of their teeth.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which all on 4 implants specialists address patients’ frequently asked questions. In our previous article, the first installment of the series, we began with a look at just how far dental implantology has come over the millennia for which our species has been trying to replace missing teeth. We then moved on to the various factors that played a role in the healing success of dental implants. In this article, we shall shift our focus to some additional factors that can control implant healing before taking a more direct look at just what dental implants are and how they work.

“What factors contribute to the long term success of my dental implants?”

In addition to good oral hygiene, regular professional attention and cleaning, avoiding smoking and other negative lifestyle habits, the following factors are quite important in determining the long-term success:

• The Skill and Experience of Your Oral Surgeon: When looking for a Stratford dental implants specialist, make sure you opt for one that has a good and solid reputation, as well as many years’ worth of experience. No amount of fancy technology can take the place of having a skilled and talented surgeon place your new teeth!

• The Amount and Quality of Jawbone Tissue: Ignoring missing teeth and oral ailments such as gingivitis and gum disease actually leads to jawbone loss and the loss of further teeth. Bone loss makes it tricky for All On 4™ implant specialists to successfully place dental implants, because they operate much like natural tooth roots and require adequate bone volume to remain supported and freestanding. This is why it’s so important to seek professional attention for tooth loss in addition to regularly, scheduled appointments with your dentist and oral hygienist.

• Not Managing Illness: Whole body health is intimately linked with oral health, so when a patient presents will illnesses that have not been properly managed, it can compromise dental implant success. Conditions such as diabetes are especially important to manage because of its clear connection with gum disease, tooth loss and dental implant failure.

“How do dental implants work?”

Dental implants are tiny titanium screws used to support either a ceramic tooth crown (when single teeth are being replaced) or a fixed dental prosthetic bridge (when an entire arch of teeth is being replaced). In both cases, the titanium implant is gently inserted into the jawbone where, over the ensuing weeks, it undergoes “osseointegration”. This is the process whereby the surrounding bone tissue biologically bonds to the surface of the implant, integrating it into the jawbone structure.

Once healing has taken place, the dental implant mimics the function of a natural tooth root, while the restoration it supports – be it a ceramic crown or dental prosthesis – resumes the function of the missing tooth crown. Dental implants are used to restore proper articulation in speech and a patient’s ability to manage a varied and healthy diet. They also closely resemble natural teeth, which is great for a patient’s confidence and self-esteem!

Stay Tuned for Part 3!

To read more frequently asked questions about getting new teeth with Stratford dental implants stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series!