A dental implant is one of the most successful and popular tooth replacement options available today. The device, which is relatively inexpensive when you consider that it lasts for many years, provides patients with a natural-looking smile without any visible hardware and has an extremely low rate of failure. Implant-based restorations are often desirable because they function and look like natural teeth.

The implant has a screw-like shape and is made of titanium. It is surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw and acts as a replacement for the dental roots of one or more missing teeth. A dental implant naturally anchors to the bone over time as it integrates with the bone tissue through a process called osseointegration.

An implant-based restoration for a single missing tooth typically consists of three parts: an anchor, which attaches to the bony socket in the jaw; a threaded rod or abutment that extends from the anchor; and a dental crown secured to the threaded rod. However, for the replacement of multiple teeth, a bridge, or a denture is attached to the abutment.

Here are two benefits of receiving a dental implant-based restoration.

Stability

A dental implant replaces the roots of missing teeth, providing a stable foundation for crown-replacement devices. The stability is due to the osseointegration of the implant into the bone, which locks the implant in position.

Osseointegration occurs when bone cells grow into and around the surface of an implant, forming a bond with it. This process can take months for the implants to become stable and strong enough for use during mastication. However, once osseointegration is complete, the implant is stable in its position and can be used as the foundation for other devices, anchoring them in place.

Bone Stimulation

The dental implant transmits stimulating bite pressure to the jawbone as you chew. This stimulation keeps the jawbone healthy and prevents atrophy.

Without the transfer of bite pressure, the jawbone shrinks and becomes brittle. Thus, after a tooth is lost, if it is not replaced by an implant in a timely manner, the jawbone may become thin at the site of the extraction. In some cases, if a patient waits too long to replace a lost tooth with an implant, a bone transplant may be needed before the implantation procedure can be performed.

To learn more about dental implants and their benefits, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.