Dental implants are the most promising way to restore a smile on the faces of people who have lost one or more teeth. This procedure is widely suggested for people who lost their teeth in an accident or due to periodontal disease. Dental implants help people grind and chew food properly and also help in giving their appearance a proper definition. Read on to learn more about this procedure, its types, and its benefits.

Who needs dental implants?
An individual with one or more missing teeth or damaged roots would require dental implants. This procedure replaces a tooth or teeth that have been lost. They are usually made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that does not cause inflammation in the body when it enters it. It can replace one or more teeth, including the root of a molar (the back part of your upper jaw).

Types of dental implants
There are three types of dental implants – endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants, and zygomatic implants. Dental implants are placed into the jawbone. They can be placed either endosteal (through the bone) or subperiosteal (on the surface of your jawbone).

Endosteal implants
Endosteal implantation is done by creating a hole in your oral cavity, then inserting a metal post inside this opening. This procedure lasts around six months and successfully restores teeth lost due to decay or trauma. When there are not enough teeth remaining after removal surgery, endosteal implants may be used as an alternative to other methods, such as partial dentures or bridgework, because it does not necessitate extensive surgery on your mouth area itself. 

Subperiosteal implants
Subperiosteal implants were invented as an alternative to endosteal implants, performed when there is an insufficient healthy bone in the lower jaw to support the implants. In this implant, a metal frame is planted with a post attached to the gum. Once the gum heals around the edge, the dental implants are screwed to the poles projected from the gums. 

Zygomatic implants  
Zygomatic implants are a lesser-known procedure where the implants are positioned into the patient’s cheekbone rather than the jawbone. 

Procedure
Dental implant surgery is a procedure carried out by a dentist or a team comprising a dentist and an oral surgeon to restore the functionality of missing teeth or improve their appearance. The procedure offers a permanent solution to missing teeth and necessitates less-invasive applications than other methods, such as bridges and dentures. Dental implants are placed into the jawbone below the gum line, where they function like natural teeth would have done before you lost them due to injury or decay. They are made from titanium alloy, so they will not break down over time and can last for decades with proper care.

Benefits
Dental implants are the only permanent solution to missing teeth and can improve the appearance of your smile. They are also an excellent choice if you have dentures, as they allow you to replace a single tooth with two or more dental implants. Dental implants can help improve chewing and speech besides enhancing one’s physical appearance.

Risks 
There are several risks associated with dental implants, including pain and swelling in the mouth for the first few days after surgery. The implant site may also bleed slightly initially, but this should stop within a few weeks. Infection at the implant area is another possible complication if you do not follow proper cleaning practices after your procedure or do not get regular checkups with your dentist.

If your bone does not fuse with the upper portion of your new tooth properly after it is placed, it becomes very likely that you will lose all support for that tooth later on down the line. It can happen even when everything goes well during placement. However, there are ways around this problem by using unique materials like composites made from calcium sulfate, which helps keep things strong while still keeping them flexible enough so they won’t break off easily during chewing activities. 

Failure of bone to fuse with the upper portion of an implant can lead to nerve damage in your jaw, causing pain and numbness in your gums and chin. It could result in reduced sensitivity within these areas even after healing has occurred since nerves continue working throughout life even if they were not damaged before placement. If you experience any of these complications or problems, your dentist may need to remove some of your new teeth and replace them with temporary ones until repairs or other implants are required.

Post-procedural instructions
After the procedure, proper care and medication are required to ensure no infection around the area where the implants are placed. After completing the procedure, you should keep the area clean by washing it with mild soap and warm water. One must also avoid foods that could cause bleeding during the healing process. For example, raw meat or red wine may cause infection around implants, leading to tooth loss or even worse scenarios like bone loss (osteoporosis). Also, avoid brushing too hard, as this might damage gums due to poor oral hygiene habits practiced by patients who had dental implants installed in their mouth at some point in past years before the treatment.

Although many risks are associated with dental implants, modern technology, and advanced techniques have reduced these factors to a minimum. They are an excellent option for people who are missing teeth or have damaged tooth roots and those who want to improve the appearance of their smiles. However, it is pertinent to mention that people diagnosed with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and certain autoimmune disorders are advised against getting dental implants as they are more prone to infections and other related complications. With regular and proper care, implants are expected to last a lifetime, provided the patient attends regular dental examinations every six months.