Are Dental Implants an Ideal Solution?

Missing teeth are frustrating and create an unsightly appearance. Not only that, but they also can weaken your teeth and dental structure. Replacing your teeth, therefore, is imperative not only for your appearance but also your dental health.

Several dental treatments are available that can replace your missing teeth from veneers to bridges. However, if you are looking for a long-term and permanent treatment, then dental implants are ideal. Yes, the implants may be costly and have a lengthy process, but they are a worthwhile investment if you are looking for durable dental solutions.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal posts made of titanium screws that act as roots, an abutment, and a crown. These screws are surgically fixed on the jawbone in a procedure that is pain-free.

Although the implants are effective, they are not for everyone. You need to be eligible for the implant surgery to be done.

• Be 16 years and older
• Have a healthy gum and teeth free of cavities
• Sufficient bone density to support the implants

What Are the Different Dental Implant Types?

Several dental implant types are available and our dentist will choose suitable implants based on your dental health.

• Endosteal implants or traditional implants are fixed into the jawbone
• Subperiosteal implants are placed above the jawbone and are ideal for people with sufficient bone loss and don’t want a bone graft to rebuild the bone.
• Mini dental implants can support one tooth or dentures and bridges
• All-on-4 implants that are ideal if you are missing multiple teeth

What Does the Procedure Involve?

The dental implant procedure is done in several stages;

1. Initial consultationOur dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment of your teeth and gums and create an ideal treatment plan.Next, the dental implants will be fixed in a procedure that lasts for one to two hours. The healing process can take seven months or longer depending on if you get a gone graft or not.

   A bone graft or augmentation is done when you have sufficient bone loss and need it rebuilt.

2. Second appointmentThe second appointment is set after the bone has fused to the bone. The abutment or connector is placed to support the implant and crown, and your teeth impression will be taken for modeling. Finally, the dentist will fix a temporary crown to facilitate the healing of the tissues.
3. The final appointmentThe dentist replaces the temporary crown with the permanent ones by either cementing or screwing them into the implants.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

You will feel slight pressure and discomfort, and bleeding on the first day. The bleeding should stop after 30 minutes, but if it doesn’t, you should come for an assessment and treatment.

Other symptoms include swelling, pain, and oozing, but these symptoms will clear on their own.

During the healing period, try to avoid hard, spicy, and acidic foods. Furthermore, gently brush the teeth, use saline water for rinsing the mouth, and apply ice to reduce the discomfort.

Are There Any Problems with Dental Implants?

Yes. Although dental implants are successful, there is a five percent possibility they could fail. Several factors can affect the success such as:

• Gum disease and infection
• Bruxism or the unconscious of the teeth
• Loose implant because of bone loss
• Nerve damage
• Rejection of the implant. Though rare, your body can reject the implant if it fails to fuse properly to the bone. When the implant fails, the dentist can perform another procedure to fix them
• Loose crown
• Bruising from drilling

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

• The surgery is pain-free
• It is long-lasting if done by a certified dentist and with proper dental care.
• The implant and the crown mimic your natural teeth and therefore are unnoticeable
• It is easy to care for the natural teeth
• The implants preserve your jawbone and protect your teeth

Schedule an Appointment

Dental implants offer a long term solution and can preserve both your natural teeth and jawbone. However, you need to be eligible for the procedure, so call us to schedule an appointment. We will assess and evaluate your eligibility and create a personalized treatment.