Skip to main content

The Benefits & Installation Process of Dental Implants

Woman holding an illustration of dental implants

From those who need it for medical purposes to aging movie stars and those in the public eye, many are now seeing dental implants as the best option when they begin to have long-term issues with their teeth that result in a pulling being the only option. Today’s artificial teeth look and feel like the real thing and are one of the newer options in a cosmetic dentistry market where the only choices used to be dental bridges or removable dentures. How do dental implants work, and are they the right choice for you? Read on to find out.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Compared to Dentures

Dental implants are fused in the jaw bone, meaning that they last a long while and do not need constant replacement. Instead of constantly having to worry about how your dentures look and if they are staying in place, you can have the confidence and security of knowing that implants will not move throughout the day. Other advantages implants hold over dentures is that they cannot be misplaced, and you will not have to worry about constantly replacing them every few years as they start to wear down or begin to fit poorly.

Compared to Bridges

Unlike bridges which may need to be replaced several times over their lifespan, dental implants can last much longer and tend to look better aesthetically. They are also a great option for anyone who does not want to undergo surgery in their golden years. This is especially true at times when surgery may be contraindicated, as you will need several surgeries to have bridges installed.

How Are Dental Implants Installed?

Before the Procedure

Installing dental implants may not require surgery, but It can still be a process. First, you will need to undergo a complete dental exam—including X-rays and molds made of your mouth—so that your implants can have a perfect fit. You will then work with your dental provider to come up with the best treatment plan for you and your lifestyle. Your dentist will look at the condition of your jaw bone, consider how many implants need to be installed, and take a holistic approach to dental care.

Installing the Foundation

Once the initial procedure begins, you will be sedated and have local anesthetic applied. Depending on the type of sedation dentistry used, you may take a seat in the dentist’s chair and wake up to find that they are already done installing the base. Otherwise, you will be sedated but conscious and unable to feel the pain. During this initial procedure, your dentist will install  long-lasting titanium metal to the jaw bones, which serves as a permanent foundation for the implants you will receive at a later date.

After your dentist finishes the initial procedure, they will give you care instructions including best brushing and flossing practices to avoid plaque once they install the teeth down the line. Because your new implants will have their own foundations, they can also mirror regular teeth very accurately. And unlike dentures, which often require the removal of additional teeth so you can make use of a full set, implants can be installed one by one as you need them.

Installing the Implants

You will be healed within several months, and the healing period lasts roughly that long. Once you are healed, your dentist will then install the implants themselves. These teeth can be made out of acrylic, nylon, or metal, and this is when the dentist will install the implant prosthesis or crown. They will also provide local and general anesthesia for this part of the process. Once this is complete, congratulations—you are now done!

Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to expect when getting dental implants installed as well as how implants compare to other types of cosmetic dentistry.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Everything You Need to Know About Wisdom Teeth

What are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are a third row of molars that most late teens or early adults develop. Often times, the incoming teeth can cause issues for your jaw or cosmetically can be an issue for your teeth. Through many years of evolution, the human jaw has become smaller, and because of a change in our diet, we no longer require these extra molars for survival like we might have tens of thousands of years ago. Many researchers claim that this evolution is the reason that about 35% of people do not even develop wisdom teeth any more.  Why do Wisdom Teeth Cause so much Fuss? Because our human evolution has caused a smaller jaw line, incoming wisdom teeth can result in a whole range of issues. Not only can they cause cosmetic problems like crooked teeth as they force themselves into an already full set of teeth, but this process can be uncomfortable and result in swollen and sore gums. Your wisdom teeth can really cause problems when they are “impacted” meaning there i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Signs You May Need to get a Cavity Filled

A toothache can be a very painful process. No one enjoys going to the dentist, but there are times when the dentist is the only one who can take that incredible pain away. No matter how much the dentist is feared, the relief they give for a throbbing mouth is worth facing that fear. Luckily, a majority of tooth pain can be fixed by filling the tooth so the nerve is no longer exposed. Before that pain hits, there are signs that you can look out for that screams pain is coming. Bleeding Gums Bleeding gums is one sign of a problem. Often brushing or flossing too hard can cause a little blood. But if this is a more frequent problem, than it could mean you have gingivitis, tooth decay or other dental issues. Increased sensitivity If eating sweets or putting something hot or cold in your mouth causes abnormal pain than there might be a problem. Cavities are the number one cause of teeth sensitivity and a good issue to see your dentist about. Often this is the starting point of many larg...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Importance of Taking Your Child to the Dentist

Caring for your teeth and gums is such an important part of your overall health, but did you know that the most common chronic disease for young children is tooth decay? Learning healthy habits for your oral care must start at a very young age, and there are specific things to consider when your are caring for a young child’s teeth and gums. There are very basic skills that can be harder for the average child to develop if they do not have proper oral care. This is why taking your child to the dentist regularly is crucial in their developmental success. Not So Common Knowledge Your dentist will be able to give you advice on how to care for your child’s new teeth. There are some basic habits that you have developed in your household that might unknowingly be causing damage to your child’s teeth and gums. A dentist will be able to explain various common bad habits and help you develop new ones that will help foster good oral care. How Soon Should a Child Go to the Dentist? It is rea...
Post a Comment
Read more