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Writer's pictureDr Jennifer Collins

What is a dental implant, do they hurt and will they last forever?!

Updated: Jun 3, 2020


You’ve probably heard a lot about dental implants already. A dental implant lets us replace lost teeth (one or many) with a prosthetic that mimics the function of natural teeth–better than any bridge or denture ever could. Dental implants are embedded in the jaw the same way that natural tooth roots are, so they create a false tooth that looks and feels real. Since they fuse with the jaw bone, they provide a permanent replacement for a lost tooth, root to crown.

Who Might Want Dental Implants?

Anyone who has lost one or more teeth might want to get dental implants. The traditional way to replace a single lost tooth is with a dental bridge. This prosthetic uses your adjacent teeth to hold a false tooth to chew with and complete your smile. The problem with bridges, however, is that they rely on multiple teeth for stability. If one of the bridged teeth should fail, no more bridge. A single tooth implant is a better option because it is freestanding and replaces the whole tooth (not just the part you see). It also lasts much longer and helps preserve healthy jawbone mass.If you’ve lost two-to-three teeth next to each other, you can get an implant bridge to replace them. Patients with widespread tooth loss can get implant-based partial or full denture. These are far more stable and comfortable that traditional dentures.


Candidacy for Dental Implants

Most patients who are in a generally good state of oral and overall health can be good candidates for dental implants. During your implant consultation, Dr Jennifer Collins will ask about your medical history, so it’s important to share any prior or present medical conditions. Take the time to be very thorough with this; don’t pick and choose what you think may be relevant. Tell her everything and let the dentist decide what may be relevant.

Medical conditions should always be disclosed in the beginning. Certain conditions, especially systemic illnesses, can affect how well your body heals from surgery and accepts the implants. Diabetes and auto-immune disorders, for example, can affect how well your body regenerates new tissues, which is a critical factor in a successful implant procedure. Medical conditions don’t always preclude your candidacy for implants, but they can help us understand and predict any potential complications and try to prevent them.


Gum and bone grafting are not always a guarantee your oral health will improve enough for you to get implants, but these restorative treatments are often successful when a patient is committed to meticulous attention to oral hygiene and good overall health.

For more information, contact Dr Jennifer Collins in Northumberland Dental Care on 016688441 or at www.nidm.ie

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