Dental Implants For The Replacement Of Missing Teeth

Implants are the perfect solution for most people with missing teeth. Dental implants are titanium screws that are placed inside the jawbone and serve the same purpose as the roots of teeth. Dental implants are used to replace individual or multiple teeth and are becoming a popular alternative to conventional dentures.

What Is A Dental Implant?

A Dental implant is a small “anchor” made of titanium. It is inserted into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. A prosthetic replacement is then secured to the top of the implant. For example, a denture, crown, or bridge.

Titanium implants are very durable and well-accepted by the human body (biocompatible). When titanium is placed into the bone, it comes in contact with oxygen which forms a layer around the titanium pin called titanium-oxide. It’s this layer of titanium oxide that fuses the bone to the pin. Whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or many teeth, dental implants are an effective and preferable treatment option.

How Long Is The Procedure And Does It Include Surgery?

In South Africa, Dr. Marx is one of the most well-known dentists for implant placement. Placing implants is a small procedure and doesn!t require any hospitalisation. Implants are done in the dental chair and take approximately 5-10 minutes per implant. Sounds easy, but it takes great skill and experience.

Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?

If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to have an implant. Whether you are missing teeth because of injury, disease, or decay, dental implants are often the best solution. General good health and adequate bone density in the jaw are the essential requirements. If you are not sure whether dental implants can work for you, please feel free to call us.

Dental Bridges For The Replacement Of Missing Teeth

Bridgework looks and functions almost like the real thing. All ceramic bridges can hardly be distinguished from natural teeth, bridges are highly aesthetic, and retain a natural appearance under all light conditions.

A fixed dental bridge replaces one or more missing natural teeth. The patient cannot remove it. It is cemented into place and is firmly attached to the prepared natural teeth that are next to it, or to the implants in case of no natural teeth available. The fixed bridge can be made of porcelain fused to precious metal or all porcelain without any metal.

Given a choice, no one likes to have metal inside their mouth. Apart from being unsightly, metal can damage the opposing tooth surface by abrading (wearing) it. Metal-free bridges do not damage the opposing teeth, and the aesthetics are much better. Metal-free bridges have one great advantage being their minor changes that can be done even after the bridges have been bonded inside the mouth.