Aside from the face, teeth are also considered the most important part of the body. They are often neglected when they are not properly cared for. There are various problems that can affect the health of these teeth, such as cavities, gum disease, and broken teeth. One of the most common problems that people face when they have teeth is early tooth decay. Aside from crowns and bridges, some of the other solutions include dentures and implants.

A dental implant is a procedure that uses titanium posts and artificial teeth to replace missing or damaged teeth. It’s a good alternative to bridges and dentures due to the lack of natural tooth roots. A dental implant is a device that supports a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, a bridge, or a denture. The concept of osseointegration involves the use of a biological process to create a bond between the bone and the titanium or zirconia materials used for the implant. After achieving this process, a dental prosthetic is then attached to the implant.

A dental implant system consists of a surgically inserted dental implant body and an abutment fixation screw. The abutment is attached to the implant body by a secure fixation screw. A dental implant consists of three parts which include:-

• Dental implant itself
• The Crown
• Abutment. 

The first step in getting a dental implant is getting your teeth and gums evaluated. Your jawbone is also assessed to see if it has enough healthy tissue to support the implant. If it is not strong enough, a bone graft may be suggested. After cutting the gum, the dentist will expose the bone using a special tool. The hole will then be drilled into the bone, and the implant will be placed. Although the procedure is relatively simple, it can be painful for some individuals. After getting the implant, you will feel some soreness and swelling for a few days.

Once the implant is secured, it will take around 2 to 6 months before the natural jaw bone begins to grow around the screw. This process, known as osseointegration, helps keep the implant in place. A metal extender called an abutment is typically added to the implant. This may be done during the initial procedure or during a second minor procedure under a local anesthetic. Abutments are used to connect the replacement tooth to the implant. There is a list of types of abutments one can choose from:-

• Stock abutments 
• Gold cast abutments 
• Custom design abutments 

If an abutment is added during a second procedure, the surgeon may need to make an incision if gum tissue has grown over the implant. This is because a healing cap is placed over the implant after the implant is placed. While this is used to protect the implant, it also typically prevents tissue from growing over it. During the second procedure, the healing cap will be removed, and the abutment will be screwed onto the dental implant. The gum tissue will then contour around the abutment. The gums will take several weeks to heal after the abutment placement.

The dental implant is the foundation that supports the overlying abutment and crown. Whereas the crown is the actual tooth that you see and finally the abutment is attached to the implant and supports the overlying crown. And the most prominent dental implant associate properly retained crowning, customized abutment and surgical stent that could stabilize and maintain its position. The most efficient choice for a perfect implant includes:

• Stocks or Custom Design Abutment
• Screw Retained Crown
• Clear Surgical Stent

Types of dental implants:-

• Endosteal (in the bone)
• Subperiosteal (in the bone)

Advantages of dental implants

Dental implants come with a number of advantages which includes:-

• They give a natural look.
• They are comfortable and cost-effective.
• They have a high success rate.
• Implants make it easier to eat and chew.
• It improves the facial and bone structure.
• They preserve the health of the surrounding bone and gums.
• They help neighboring teeth be stable.
• They also improve the quality of life.

Disadvantages of dental implants

Dental implants also have some disadvantages along with advantages. Some of them are mentioned below:-

• Makes it difficult to clean the surrounding gum area.
• Infection can occur during the process.
• Injury or damage to the surrounding structure.
• Sinus problems can arise.
• Numbness and tingling can be felt in the natural teeth.
• Serve damage can occur.