What are dental implants?
Technology has allowed us to create a great alternative to replacing missing teeth! Instead of the traditional dentures and dental bridges, this new method is called dental implants. Dental implants are rod like structures that are placed into the jaw bone, which serve as the foundation for an artificial tooth to be placed in the area.
What are the advantages of dental implants?
These implants are the best long-term solution to replace missing teeth because the design looks and feels like natural teeth. In addition to this, the patient is able to floss and brush the tooth as if it were a normal tooth, compared to situations involving dentures and bridges.
Some other advantages of dental implants include:
- Improved speech, appearance, and comfort
- Natural way of eating food
- Improved oral hygiene and oral health
- Conveient and durable
Who can get dental implants?
While dental implants have been a growing interest for many people, qualifications depend on your gum and bone health. There has to be enough bone to support the implant and a healthy immune system is needed to properly heal the site where the implant is placed.
What’s the process for dental implants?
To determine if an implant is a possible treatment to replace missing teeth, the dentist will first take x-rays and examine the mouth to decide if there is enough bone. If there is enough bone, then the dentist can start planning out the implant procedure.
During the procedure, the implant will be placed into the jaw surgically and then closed up so that the tissues can heal. The dentist may request for follow-up appointments to check with the progress of the healing. Once the tissue has healed, the dentist will look at the mouth and record data in order to design a tooth to replace the empty space. After the design has been made, a new implant crown will be ready to deliver to the patient.
This is just one general example of a dental implant, but there are different types of possible implants. These variations will depend on factors such as the patient’s health, how many teeth are being replaced, and bone level, to name a few.
Are dental implants painful?
While undergoing the procedure for dental implants, the dentist will minimize pain by numbing the area with local anesthetic. Many patients who have undergone an implant procedure report that there is less pain involved, compared to a dental extraction.
Mild soreness may be experienced following the procedure as tissues are trying to heal. The soreness can be addressed with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Motrin at a local pharmacy.
How do I properly take care of my dental implant?
Because dental implants are placed in the jaw bone, there is an option to have an implant for each tooth. This means that an implant tooth can be maintained as if it were any other natural tooth. As a result, flossing in between the implant tooth is possible, which it wouldn’t be for traditional dentures or bridged crowns. In addition to brushing 2x a day, flossing, and rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash, scheduling regular dental visits with your dentist will ensure that the implant is still in the best quality.
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