100 years ago 50% of adults in North America were toothless. Today less than 10% of adults over age 65 have lost teeth. This huge jump can be attributed to many factors including the commercialization of toothpaste into the marketplace. Colgate for example introduced its toothpaste in a jar in 1873 and by 1896 Colgate was selling toothpaste in the tubes most consumers are familiar with. Today Americans spend about two billion dollars on dental products including toothpaste, dental floss, and mouth wash and of course toothbrushes. No wonder more people reach their sixty-fifth birthday with a full set of their own teeth than a hundred years ago.

Today most people under the age of 35 years old who have missing teeth have lost them due to fights, accidents or athletic trauma. Athletes are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth because they are not wearing a mouth guard during athletic activities than athletes who take the proper precautions and wear a mouth guard. For people over 35 years old the major reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease which is why it is so important to make regular dental visits and twice a year cleanings a priority.

Let’s face it, no one loves going to the dentist. For many people it is a fearful thing to sit in the dentist chair even with the modern advances that can make the visit almost pain free. However preventative visits are far easier and less stressful in the end than the alternative which can amount to spending lots of time and lots of money to repair neglect and missed dental problems such as tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most common and most widespread diseases around. It is also one of the oldest diseases around. Archeologists have discovered that our prehistoric ancestors suffered from the same problems with tooth decay then as we do today. The difference is they suffered with the pain of decay and tooth loss while we have the luxury of being able to see a dentist and have dental decay removed and cavities filled to ease the pain.

With all of the options at our fingertips today including braces, dentures, bridges, caps and invisible sealants, not to mention dentist who are highly trained professionals in their field, there is no reason anyone should suffer from dental pain or unnecessary tooth loss like our ancestors did only a hundred short years ago.

Dentists use dental implants to replace missing teeth to give you a complete smile. Outwardly, the three types available look all the same and may even be made from different materials, including plate form, subperiosteal, and root form. Each one is designed differently to ensure you get a long lasting replacement that keeps you looking your best. In order to tell which one you will need, the dental professional will need to match your bone structure to the correct style.

Plate Form Dental Implants

When your jawbone is too narrow, a plate form is the most effective method to use. The metal portion that sits beneath the gum line is long and flat. This allows the new tooth to sit along beside the jaw line. To install this, dentists cut down and expose an area of the jawbone after administering anesthetic. The implant sits into place and the gums are carefully secured into place. Some are attached to restore your smile instantly while other requires some time to heal in order for the metal to fuse onto the bone. The amount of space opened up will depend on how extensive the work is.

Subperiosteal Methods

When there is very little bone to hold the material, a specially made subperiosteal style form is the best choice. In all, there are two different ways dentist can install this style. A single surgery method requires a CAT scan and a special computer program to process the corresponding data to create a 3D model of your jawbone. Then, dental surgery is performed to expose the jawbone and lay in the plates.

With a dual surgery procedure, the gums are opened up and a special impression is made of the remaining bone. The form is then sent to a lab to form the plate. In the second surgery, the bone is exposed and the plate is laid into place.

Root Form Styles

These are shaped similar to your original teeth with a tooth like shape on the top and a screw like form that attaches it to the bone. These are best for good bone structures that are wide and deep. Dentists will open the jawbone, set the rod into place, and close the gums. It will then require three to six months of healing for the bone to grow around the metal. Otherwise, the pressure placed on your tooth through normal activities will cause the post to dislodge. Once it is completely healed, the oral care professional then needs to attach the tooth portion to the metal rod-like structure. This is done by using an extension under the tooth portion to connect it to the post.

Sometimes, patients do not have quite enough bone to hold the implants. At the same time, it isn’t narrow or worn enough to warrant plate or subperiosteal dental implants. In this case, the doctor can remove bone from one area of the body and graft it onto the jaw.

Whether you live in New York or Fullerton, dentists have several options to restore your smile to one you can be proud of. Dental implants do require healing time, but in exchange, you regain full use of your teeth. As an added benefit, they last for a significant amount of time.