Eating becomes a problem without teeth. But for many, a bigger handicap is not being able to smile. Those who lack healthy teeth feel self-conscious when smiling.
Recent advances in dentistry have changed things not only for people with no teeth, but also those with unhealthy and unattractive teeth. Government Dental College Principal and NTR University Board of Studies Chairman T. Murali Mohan says dental implants is the most-sought-after training programme among dental professionals. Earlier, dental surgeons had reservations about the success of dental implants and hesitated to suggest implant treatment as an alternative.
Today, the success rate is almost 90 per cent. Dental implants are ‘replacements’ for roots of teeth secured in the jaw bone. They are used to secure crowns, bridge work or dentures by a variety of means. Made of titanium, they are lightweight, strong and, above all, are accepted by the body, he says.
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Dental implants are ushering in lifestyle changes. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement of teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. A person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything. Since the facial contours are also preserved, patients with dental implants can smile with confidence, says Dr. Murali Mohan.
“Patients are often told that they are not candidates for dental implants. However, with advancements in dentistry, this is no longer true,” he says. If the patient’s mouth is not ideal for implants, bone grafting may be recommended in a regular dental clinic under local anaesthesia.
The placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within the jaw bone. The implants are beneath the surface of gums, gradually bonding with the jaw bone in the first three to six months following the surgery. The second phase begins after the implant integrates with the jaw bone.
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The implants are then uncovered, and small posts are attached that protrude through gums, which will act as anchors for artificial teeth. When artificial teeth are placed, these posts are not seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months, explains Dr. Murali Mohan.