In the past, a lost tooth due to old age, trauma, or any other reason, left you with a gaping hole in your dental formula. This blank would either be left bare or have a denture occupy the space. Today things are different though; dental implants are as now a suitable alternative to false teeth and dentures.

These implants involve fitting a metal rod on the patient's jawline and then placing an artificial tooth in the gap left by the former tooth. The implant presents a long-term solution as it is attached to existing teeth.

The Procedure involved

To make the artificial tooth, your dentist will use molds of your existing teeth. These molds are used to make a crown that takes the shape of your former tooth. The dentist will, as well, decide the shade of white for the tooth. This choice is made to look as similar as the shade of your teeth to make the implant blend with other teeth and look natural.

The Types of Dental Implants Available

Endosteal dental implants are the first type of implants available to patients. These implants are fitted in three steps. Firstly, they are implanted directly into the jaw through surgery. Once the surrounding tissue heals from the first surgery, another operation is required to connect the "post" to the first implant. After recovering from the surgery, the dentist attaches the artificial tooth/teeth one by one or as a group.

Subperiosteal implants are the second type of implants. They are made of a metal frame implanted in the jawbone. This metal frame is fitted right below the jawbone and fixes itself permanently as the gum tissue heals. The metal frame has "posts" that stick out of the gums. This is where the artificial teeth mount.

Procedure Timeframe

It will take you several months to heal from a dental implant. If there is a tooth to pull out before fitting the implant, it is done on the first day. The dentist then fits the anchor for the new tooth. Healing time for this anchor takes between 3-9 months. After you recover from surgery, the artificial tooth can be mounted on the anchor.

Be advised, however, the level of success achieved is down to various factors including; the individual's health, prescribed drugs, gum tissue and jawbone health, etc. You should, thus, disclose all material facts asked of you by your dentist to help ascertain your body's chances of success with the surgery.