Your smile can light up a room. It is one of the first things a person sees when you meet them. Since it influences first impressions, don’t you want to ensure the best care for your teeth? If you have missing teeth and want to improve your smile, the best option for replacement (in most cases) are dental implants.

What Is A Dental Implant?

Unlike dentures, which are removable, or bridges, which are fixed to other adjacent teeth, a dental implant is a metal post inserted into the bone in the jaw. With time, it fuses with the bone in the jaw and can then be restored with a crown – if replacing a single tooth, or with a full denture or prosthesis – if replacing all the teeth in the jaw.

Types of Dental Implants

You can choose between two types of implants, depending on the status of your teeth.

Endosteal Implants

These are the most common types of dental implants. Made of titanium and shaped like tiny screws, these are placed directly in the jawbone.

Subperiosteal Implants

These implants are placed under the gum line, but above or directly onto the jawbone. This procedure is recommended for individuals who have weak teeth or a delicate jawbone. It is also preferred by people who don’t want to undergo bone augmentation to correct the issue.

Types of Restoration materials in Dental Implant

Dental implants are made of titanium, which has been used for years because it resists corrosion.

For a dental implant to be functional it needs an abutment and then a crown (if a single tooth or teeth are restored) or a prosthesis, like a denture (if all the teeth in the arch are restored)

The abutment, which connects the implant in the jawbone to the prosthesis (which is either a crown or denture), may also be made of titanium. Some dentists may use abutments made from ceramic depending on factors like site and esthetics.

The crown or the artificial tooth comes in different materials as well. For example, if you want to replace your front teeth, the crown inserted may be made of porcelain or metal. Porcelain (ceramic) crowns may be used in anteriors or front teeth or posteriors or back teeth. These have the same sheen as natural teeth and can be easily tinted to match the rest of your teeth. Metallic crowns may be recommended for back molars because those aren’t as visible. These also have higher tensile strength and are more resistant to fracture. Hence, durability during function, like chewing of food is ensured. They are a very good choice for people who brux/grind or people who have a high mastication or chewing force index.

Who Should Get Dental Implants?

Anyone can get dental implants if they are able to undergo the procedure without difficulty. In other words, if you have a healthy jaw and gums and have good oral hygiene, the procedure is perfect for you. However, if you smoke heavily, have heart disease or poor oral hygiene, or underwent radiation therapy near the mouth (such as in your neck and head), you may not qualify. Your dentist will ask you to go through some tests to see if you can get receive implants without any issues.

At Smile League Dental, we are committed to serving individuals and families with the best dental procedures in Illinois. This includes children, adults and elderly clients. Our clinic is located just two minutes from the Louis Joliet Mall – between Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Aurora axis. We provide excellent diagnostic assessments and cosmetic and preventive dental services in these areas as well as the wider Chicago area. Book an appointment today by calling 815-782-6243 and take charge of your oral health.

The abutment, which connect the implant in the jawbone to the prosthesis, which is either a crown or denture, is made of the same material.

Some dentists may use ceramic abutments (an abutment is the connecting piece between the implant and as well.

The crown or the artificial tooth comes in several materials. For example, if you want to replace your front teeth, the implants put in will be made of porcelain or ceramic because these have the same sheen as natural teeth and can be easily tinted to match the rest of your teeth.

In some cases, metallic crowns can be recommended for back molars because those aren’t as visible. Another reason these are made of metal is the material is durable enough to chew food with them. It is also a good choice for people who may damage their implants with time.

Who Should Get Dental Implants?

Anyone can get dental implants if they are able to undergo the procedure without difficulty. In other words, if you have a healthy jaw and gums and have good oral hygiene, the procedure is perfect for you. However, if you smoke heavily, have heart disease or poor oral hygiene, or underwent radiation therapy near the mouth (such as in your neck and head), you may not qualify. Your dentist will ask you to go through some tests to see if you can get receive implants without any issues.

At Smile League Dental, we are committed to serving individuals and families with the best dental procedures in Illinois. This includes children, adults and elderly clients. Our clinic is located just two minutes from the Louis Joliet Mall – between Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Aurora axis. We provide excellent diagnostic assessments and cosmetic and preventive dental services in these areas as well as the wider Chicago area. Book an appointment today by calling 815-782-6243 and take charge of your oral health.