Losing a tooth is never a good experience. Tooth loss may be due to dental disease, accidents or physical trauma, age, genetics, or other factors. After tooth loss, certain changes begin to take place in reaction to the new normal. The jaw bone in the affected area may start to shrink. The shrinkage can affect your facial structure. In addition to this, such a person may begin to experience certain speech impediments like a lisp. Other common developments may include poor digestion and self-consciousness.
My Dental Home, Dr. Kevin Brown & Associates notes that dental implants offer a proven and effective solution to all of these problems. People who have lost one or more teeth can choose dental implants for their natural look and feel. However, when it comes to dental implants, the question is whether the type of teeth to replace matters.
Dental implants involve the surgical installation of a screw-like biocompatible material made of titanium into the jawbone. Once the metal post or frame has been installed under the gums, it is allowed to heal before a replacement tooth is fixed. In terms of advantages, dental implants are the best restorative dental option. Dental implants can hold dental crowns, dental bridges, and even dentures in place. However, not everyone is eligible for this procedure. Patients are expected to have strong and healthy gum and jawbone to undergo dental implant.
The Basics of Dental Implants
Dental implants promote oral health, help patients restore functionality to areas with missing teeth, and offer a natural look and feel. With dental implants, many patients have attested to improved self-confidence and beautiful smile. They support jaw and gum health and protect the face against changes due to jaw bone shrinkage.
Getting a dental implant installed is done in steps and phases. The first phase involves a complete oral examination to determine whether you are suitable for the procedure. Following this, the dentist schedules the first phase of surgery, where the implant material is installed in the jaw. The wound is closed and stitched for healing. Once the healing process is complete, usually in two to three months, the patient returns to the dentist, and an abutment is attached to the implant. The dentist then creates artificial teeth matching the color of existing teeth. This adds a natural look to the mouth and improves both aesthetics and functionality of the crown.
Types of Teeth
There are mainly four different types of teeth. They include;
Incisors
These are located in the front of the mouth. Incisors are eight in total, with four distributed on the upper and lower jaw. These teeth are essential for speech, bites, and for enunciating words. Dental implants can be effective in replacing an incisor.
Canines
There are four canine teeth, and they are located on each side of the upper and lower incisors. They are designed to be sharp and pointed. Canines help to cut food, support the lips, and guide the teeth into place.
Premolars
Premolars have flat tops and are often behind the canines. They are great for mashing food for digestion. Premolars also help promote and maintain facial structure. There are eight premolars in total each pair is distributed behind the upper and lower canines.
Molars
These are located behind the premolars. They are twelve in number, with three located behind the premolars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. They are essential for chewing food and offer support to the facial structure.
Having understood the types of teeth in the mouth, it is important to understand which dental implant is perfect for each type of lost tooth. The health of the gum and jaw in the affected may dictate whether the patient gets a dental implant. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth loss or multiple teeth loss. In the case of multiple teeth loss, some of the dental implant replacement options to choose from include;
Tooth-Supported Fixed Bridge
A dental bridge can be made from alloys, porcelain, gold, or a combination of the named materials.
Full or Partial Dentures
A partial denture is recommended when one or multiple teeth are missing. Full dentures are often recommended for patients whose complete natural teeth have been removed.
Implant-Supported Dentures
This type of denture is removable. However, it offers stability and longevity because it is based on dental implants.
All-on-Four Dental Implants
This involves permanently fixing four to six dental implants in the upper or lower jaw. It is recommended for people on the verge of losing all of their upper or lower teeth.
