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Dental implants are the closest that one can come to getting the natural smile, a way of talking and manner of eating back. For these, one needs to have a tooth or teeth extracted out. A titanium screw is drilled into the jaw bone and placed there. The jaw bone grows around the titanium screw naturally for three to four months. This will affix it into position there. After this, a dental crown is placed atop this to function as the tooth which the world sees.

Dental implants can last the entire lifetime of a person if they are properly taken care of. However, one must maintain good oral hygiene habits for this to happen. One must brush the teeth at least twice a day, each day, for at least two minutes each time. It is best to brush each time after a person eats food. However, if this is not possible, then the person should at least rinse the mouth well each time. It is advisable to floss the teeth at least once a day. Also, regular visits to the dentist to check for and to get adjustments done to the implants are very necessary.

What is root canal therapy?

In this, the tooth or teeth are not extracted but are salvaged. However, if the tooth is damaged or broken or cracked, then a dental cap or crown is placed atop this. In this line of treatment, first, an opening is made into the dental cavity. This has a mass of cellular tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. These are taken out, and the dental cavity is disinfected and cleaned up. A material like gutta-percha is placed inside the cavity, and this is sealed off from the outside environs with cement. A dental crown or cap may be placed on top of this to function as the tooth as we see it.

What are dentures?

These are artificial teeth. For these two, the natural tooth or teeth are extracted. An impression of these and the gum area is made by the dentist, and this is sent to the dental laboratory. A set of dentures is made there. These are then placed on top of the gums. Dentures cannot be worn at night. They have to be placed in a container with a solution into which a cleansing tablet is added. These are brushed with the solution and brush with soft bristles. Dentures also need to be shown to the dentist for a periodic professional cleaning, if required.

Dentures need to be replaced after every five to seven years. They become loose with time. Also, one should avoid eating sticky or hard foods or speak with a lot of force while wearing dentures. There is a danger of them cracking or even slipping out of the mouth. Hence, proper care and precaution must be taken while wearing these. Also, the smile, the way of talking and eating of the person changes a bit if we wear dentures.

For details contact: Prescott Family Dentistry, 936 Market Street Suite 201, Fort Mill, SC 29708. Call : (803) 306-7567.