If you are missing teeth or are having more than one tooth extracted due to severe cavities, you may also be wondering if you are a candidate for dental implants. Tooth loss can cause health problems like poor digestion, the loss of facial bone support and TMJ osteoarthritis. Tooth replacement is an important option to consider if you have or expect to have missing teeth. Learn more about whether long or short dental implants are right for you.

Bone Density Is An Important Consideration

The density of your jawbones plays a huge role in your successful candidacy for dental implants. Bear in mind bone density is important no matter if you are getting one dental implant or several. The implant placed into your jawbone needs enough bone for successful fusion to take place. The better the fusion of the implant to bone, the stronger and more secure the implant is. Abutments used for the tooth crowns are attached to the exposed top of the implants. Without strong, healthy bone density, implants cannot make a strong fusion, thus causing loosening that results in their removal or surgical replacement.

Long Implants Are Best For Top Tooth Replacement

The top jawbone is generally not as dense as the lower jawbone, which is the reason many people have traditional long implants replacing top teeth. If you have more than one tooth to replace, your dental professional may recommend a special bridge that affixes to implants. Eating and chewing is easier when you have dental implants as opposed to dentures, which is one reason implants have become popular and a common dental procedure.

Short Implants Are Great, But They Do Have Limitations

Short dental implants, also referred to as mini-implants, are used mostly for the bottom jaw due to their requirement for thicker bone density. Short implants are generally used to only replace small bottom teeth and incisors. Healthy bone and gum tissue are necessary for the successful fusion of short implants. However, people that are suffering from poor lower jawbone density may be great candidates for traditional long implants.

Implants Are A Long Term Answer To Missing Teeth

Implants are usually made out of titanium, a metal used to make many medical parts used in the human body. Titanium has long been known for its durability and performance in hip joints, brain clips and dental implants. If you wonder about how long your implants will last, you should know they will provide you with a long term option for a healthy, bright smile. You can also count on your dental implants for being able to properly chew your food for many years to come.