Facts about dental implants from our dentist
Interested to learn more about dental implants?
At Byfleet Dental, our dentist in West Byfleet knows a thing or two about these clever restoratives and can answer any questions that you may have about the fitting, aftercare and history of implants.
In this article, our dentist in West Byfleet explores lesser-known facts about dental implants, to help you expand your knowledge of these clever restoratives. Enjoy!
Fact 1- There is no upper age limit
Many patients ask our dentist in West Byfleet if they are too old to have dental implants fitted and, in short, the answer is no!
If you have good overall oral and general health and of course, if you have enough jawbone to accommodate them, you will probably be suitable for having oral implants fitted.
Fact 2- There are different kinds of dental implants
The most commonly used type of dental implant is an endosteal implant; visually, these look like titanium screws, which are fitted to the jaw and over time they fuse with the bone.
But there are other types too; the most commonly used if you are not able to have regular implants is subperiosteal, which is a titanium frame that is fitted underneath the gums, but on top of the bone.
There are also mini or micro implants (which are just smaller versions of the endosteal implant) and zygomatic, which are used on the upper jaw and are attached to the zygoma or cheekbone.
Fact 3- Dental implants are not new
Many people think that the idea of having teeth implanted into the jaw is new, but it isn’t.
Historically, there have been skulls dated to 2500 BC that show people have been trying to replace missing teeth using mechanics and other people’s teeth for a long time – even if it was unsuccessful!
Indeed, even the ancient Mayans in around 600 AD used a hammer and seashells as a basis for what we may now know as dental implants.
Fact 4-They can help with digestion
It is easy to forget that our teeth are part of our digestive system.
And as such, for food to be correctly broken down, it needs to be ground up and chewed; this is harder to do if you have missing teeth. Many people who have a missing tooth or teeth struggle with secondary digestive issues, such as acid reflux, due to larger pieces of poorly chewed food reaching their stomach.
Dental implants allow you to bite into and chew food more effectively, thus enabling you to digest it easier and faster.
Fact 5- Not everyone is suitable
While the majority of dental patients are suitable for dental implants, there are instances where you may not be suited to the process, the fusing or indeed, you may have a condition that impacts the longevity of the implants.
If you have a blood clotting disorder, such as haemophilia, this will not render you unsuitable for implants, but it can complicate the fitting process. Successful fusing can be harder if you have osteoporosis and can impact the longevity of implants too. There are alsolifestyle choices that can impact the longevity of implants, such as smoking and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.