Oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are incredibly essential. Not caring for the teeth can cause them to decay and even fall off in extreme cases. Consequently, missing teeth can make chewing food complicated and cause extreme discomfort. To manage the problem, dentists affix dental implants in the jawbone that replace the lost teeth. Here is a quick guide on how implants work and their popular types and benefits.

How do dental implants work?
A dental implant effectively works both as a root and a tooth. The three components of a dental implant are:

• The implant
  The implant is placed carefully into the jawbone using surgery. It is made of biocompatible titanium, which means that, once placed into the jawbone, it will integrate with it gradually over three to six months. This is a slow but effective process called osseointegration.
• The abutment
  This is a component used to attach the implant to its restoration.
• The restoration
  Depending on the individual needs and the dentist’s recommendations, this component can be a porcelain crown, denture, or bridge.

Types of dental implants
The following are a few popular types of dental implants one may come across:

• Endosteal implants
  These are the most common type of dental implants consisting of titanium screws or cylinders placed into the jawbone with the help of a surgery. Once the surgery is successful and the implants have integrated with the bone properly, the teeth can be attached to these implants. Endosteal implants are usually recommended for individuals with good bone density and volume.
• Subperiosteal implants
  This is an alternative procedure for those who do not have the required bone density and volume for endosteal implants. Here, the titanium screw or cylinder is placed on top of the jawbone (instead of into it), right below the gum tissue. A metal framework keeps this implant in place and supports artificial teeth attached to it.
• All-on-4 implants
  This unique implant is used when individuals lose many teeth due to substantial tooth decay, accidents, or other reasons. Here, just four main implants support an entire arch of teeth. All-on-4 implants form a secure foundation for new teeth to be attached and improve teeth functionality, which benefits many patients.
• Zygomatic implants
  This implant is specifically for those with excessive bone loss in the upper jaw. In such cases, the implant cannot be installed in the maxillary bone, as usual, and can only be affixed in the zygoma or the cheekbone. No bone grafting procedure is needed for zygomatic implants, making them a preferred option for many.
• Mini dental implants
  When choosing an implant, dentists measure the space between two teeth. If the distance is less, mini dental implants may be recommended as they have a smaller diameter than traditional implants. This kind of procedure is best when there is a need for a single crown.
• Immediate load implants
  These kinds of implants are also known as single-day implants or teeth-in-a-day implants. Usually, patients have to wait for some time before restoration takes place after the implant surgery, but with this quick fix, one can get restoration the same day.

The best implant for a person will depend on their oral health and how much stress their bone structure can support at the time of the diagnosis. So, it is vital to do a detailed analysis and diagnosis before committing to a dental procedure.

Benefits of dental implants
There are several benefits to getting dental implants. Here are a few of them to explore:

• Last for a long time
  A dental implant can last for a long time or even a lifetime. Since it is made from titanium and integrates with the jawbone, it turns into healthy teeth roots. It is non-toxic and hence does not get rejected by the body, making it completely safe and healthy.
• Prevent bone loss
  Missing teeth can cause an empty space in the jaw, which can widen due to a lack of stimulation to the bone. When implants are placed, they fill up and integrate into the bone, preventing further bone deterioration.
• Keep adjacent teeth stable
  A gap between two teeth can cause the teeth to shift towards the empty space, leading to crooked teeth. This can also pull the teeth away from their natural position and affect chewing. Dental implants can keep the adjacent teeth in place, preventing these problems.
• Reduce the risk of gum disease
  The risk of gum disease and infection increases when there is a gap in the teeth. This is because the gap can trap food particles, accumulating bacteria in the mouth.

Individuals suffering from missing teeth should speak to a dentist about the best treatment plan for them. The dentist can recommend a suitable type of dental implant to make chewing easier and lessen discomfort. The expert can also suggest tips to maintain the implant and prevent tooth problems in the future. However, it is important to note that dental implants are not the only solution to lost teeth. In some cases, the dentist may recommend using removable dentures or other alternatives.

Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.

Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor. 

Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.

• Headaches ranging from moderate to severe intensity worsen with any physical movements or activities
• Throbbing or a pressured pain
• Experiencing this kind of pain on one or both sides of the head
• Feeling nauseated
• Feeling dizzy
• Experiencing sensitivity toward sounds, smells, and light

Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)

• Noting an increase in the number of headaches or migraine attacks 
• Using prescription options to manage the headaches

Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is. 

The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.

Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain. 

One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.

• Focusing on maintaining a healthy BMI level
• Introducing doctor-recommended exercises in the fitness routine
• Following a structured and sustainable meal plan to eliminate triggers of migraine (Please note fasting and skipping meals can trigger headaches)
• Learning calming techniques like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises to control stress
• Staying well hydrated
• Fixing an improper sleep schedule (7 to 8 hours of rest is recommended)
• Starting appropriate treatment for any existing health conditions like mood disorders, anxiety, and depression

Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:

• Treating mild migraines with the right dosage, as recommended by the doctor
• Treating potential side effects like nausea with recommended options 

Other techniques include:

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation
  This non-invasive technique makes use of a magnetic coil to stimulate or influence the brain’s electrical activity, which can help reduce the pain caused by migraines.
• Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation
  This technique uses a device that activates low-level electrical current to stimulate the upper branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for communicating pain to the body. This method helps reduce the pain associated with migraines.

Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.

Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision. 

Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.