When teeth are missing, they must be replaced to restore the teeth’s function and avoid several problems. There are several options, but one stands out for its strength, durability and natural look: dental implants. A supervised process is needed to benefit from them.
At Clinique dentaire Saint-Étienne, we offer complete dental implant services, from planning to placing the chosen restoration.
The consequences of missing teeth
- A smile that looks older or neglected;
- Difficulty chewing and pronouncing certain sounds;
- A higher risk of infection due to possible bacterial infiltration;
- Neighbouring and opposing teeth shifting toward the gaps, gradually misaligning the remaining teeth;
- Thinning of the jawbone.
The implant procedure
Getting implants involves a process that takes a few months:
- A first appointment assesses the structures of the mouth and includes X-rays and scans. These are used to plan each step of the surgery and design the chosen restoration;
- The implants are placed during an operation under local anesthesia. The dentist opens the gum and the bone to screw in an implant, then closes the site with stitches.
- Over the next 3 to 6 months, osseointegration gradually takes place;
- Finally, an abutment is placed as a base for the restoration, which is adjusted and attached to the implant.
The advantages of dental implants
Great stability
It comes from osseointegration. Thanks to it, implants hold firmly in the bone, providing a fixed support for the replacement tooth or teeth. This stability gives the restoration or denture a better fit, which makes it more comfortable and attractive.
Preserving the structures of the mouth
Once integrated into the jaw, the implant acts like a tooth root. It stimulates the bone and prevents loss of mass and volume. And unlike a fixed bridge (another replacement option), there is no need to alter the neighbouring teeth to place an implant restoration.
A versatile, durable option
This solution can replace a varying number of teeth. The number of implants placed in a single surgery varies from case to case. The implant process is also done only once: implants can stay in place for decades, and if something breaks, only the restoration is replaced.