Many Different Uses and Statistics for Dental Implants

An implant can be used to simply replace a single missing tooth. This is important because it will keep the teeth on either side from "caving" in. Implants can be used to create an "anchor" for a fixed bridge (a unit of three or more teeth) thus, in some cases, eliminating traditional dentures. If you have some teeth in your mouth, it is possible that with the addition of implants and bridges, you may be able to forego full dentures. Implants can also make over dentures possible. It wasn't so long ago that if you only had a few teeth left in you mouth, they were simply extracted so that a set of full dentures could be made. Since then, we have learned that, properly handled, the few remaining teeth are used to make a denture that fits over them. This "over denture" will function better than conventional dentures and is usually more pleasing esthetically as well.The art of dental "implantology" is sure to become much more popular since people are coming to appreciate the importance and advantages of keeping as many of their original teeth as possible. Most studies on dental implants focus on the clinical outcome rather than on how well the treatment meets with the patient's needs in both looks and chewing ability. A recent study by Tavares, Branch and Schulman out of Boston was designed to develop a profile of dental implant patients from private practices around the United States. The results of these studies indicated that the average age of patients seeking implants range from 35 years old to 80 years old with the average age being 59 years old. Sixty two percent were women. The average implant patient has an average family income between $30,000-$70,000 per year. The satisfaction level of implant patients were quite high. Ability to chew food 94.3% Satisfaction with appearance 90 +% Ease of cleaning mouth 83 % Level of Oral Comfort 91.6% Overall Satisfaction 92.6% Satisfaction with Dentist 95.6% Likelihood to recommending treatmentto a friend 94 % According to the National Institute of Dental Research, 300,000 individuals will receive dental implants this year. Best of all implants are affordable and can be worked into most budgets.