Dental implants are small cylindrical titanium abutments that are placed in the bone and function as artificial roots of missing teeth on which crowns or prostheses will be placed. The main purpose of dental implants is to recover lost function and aesthetics effectively, comfortably and safely. Many patients do not know that they need implants, or think that the type of their problem does not require implant therapy. To have a clearer idea, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is any of all of your teeth missing?
- Do you have difficulties with your removable denture?
- Do you feel insecure with your smile?
- Does your current denture not let you eat what you want?
If you have answered yes to any of them, you are a candidate for implant treatment. The next step is to visit your dentist, who will make an assessment of your general health status and implantological bone quality and quantity, since these factors can greatly affect treatment.
If the treatment requires replacing a single tooth, only one dental implant will be needed. If the treatment requires replacing more than one tooth, then several implants will be needed, although not necessarily one per tooth.
If lost a tooth long time ago, and it has not been replaced, it is very likely that you will present bone loss, in which case you will require bone regeneration treatment or placement of zygomatic implants, depending on the particularities of your case.
In any case, it is essential to replace lost teeth, since otherwise it may bring consequences such as bone resorption or displacement of adjacent teeth into the space left by the missing tooth, with consequences such as chewing problems, a higher probability of suffering from periodontal disease, and aesthetic consequences such as collapse of the facial profile, sinking of the lips, increased wrinkles around the mouth and pointed chin.
