A dental implant can be generally defined as an artificial tooth root placed in the jaw to hold a replacement tooth, bridge or crown. For people who have lost a tooth or a few of their teeth in an accident, due to an injury, periodontal disease or due to decay concerned with age, dental implants are a great option.
Are Dental Implants For Me?
Dental implants can be used when:
A single tooth is missing
Several teeth are missing
All teeth are missing
Dental implants serve as an excellent alternative to all traditional problems related to tooth loss.
Do I Qualify For A Dental Implant?
Delivering an implant and restoring it with a crown depends on a few factors, normally dentists can give you the best advice depending on their examination of your mouth. But it is important to know that a dental implant procedure requires:
Adequate bone in your jaw (to be able to hold the root in place)
Good oral health
Good health
Best candidates have healthy gum tissues (free from periodontal disease)
What Are The Procedures Involved In Dental Implants?
A dental implant procedure might require a few steps before you can have the perfect teeth. At a time, a dental team, consisting of one or two Dentists, a Periodontist and an Anesthetist might be working on your implants collectively. Sometimes, a different doctor than the one restoring the implant will place it so that each of them can utilize their skills to deliver better results.
Dental Implant Procedures
Different procedures involved in dental implants are:
One Stage/Immediately Loaded Implants
This procedure involves implant loading and tooth replacement, all at the same time. This means the patient can leave the dentist with their new teeth within an hour. However, there are risks involved due to inadequate bone integration in some patients. To avoid this risk, the dentist might immediately place and load the implant, with a temporary crown and after a few months it is replaced with the final crown.
Two-Stage Implants
The Two-Stage implant procedure involves two procedures carried out at a different time, the time intervals may depend on the patient’s ability to heal or the dentist’s observations:
1st stage:
Implant fixture is placed into jawbone and covered with gums for a minimum of 3-6 months. This is done to form a direct interface between the implant and your bone without intervening with the soft tissue.
2nd stage:
The fixture is then uncovered and a healing abutment is placed on the gum, so that it heals around the abutment to form a collar or a cuff shape to firmly support the crown. This gives the dentist access to the implants to place the final crown.
Immediate Placement
This is being widely practiced now and it involves extraction of a failing tooth followed by immediate placement of the implant. This may be performed in a two-stage style or could involve a few months depending on your dentist’s recommendations.
Bone Grafting/Ridge Augmentation
When going for implant placement for a tooth you lost earlier, chance are you might require bone grafting or ridge augmentation. These procedures are performed in case the patient doesn’t have enough bone or tissue to support the new implants. If the procedures go well, you might have to wait 4-6 months before the implant fixtures are successfully placed.
Occasionally, grafting can be done at the time of placing the implant if the bone and tissue deficit is small. On the other hand, ridge augmentation involves lifting a part of the gum away to expose the bone defects. The defect is then filled with bone or bone substitute to build up the ridge. These procedures can greatly improve the appearance of your gums and implants and can last for years.
Implant Site Development
A dentist requires adequate space before implant replacement; this includes space below the gums and around the roots. You may have to go through a limited or comprehensive treatment to create space required. A failing tooth can also be utilized by an orthodontist in many ways, including bone development at the implant site for proper placement and better results.
Will I Be Anesthetized?
Yes, these are surgical procedures and require you to be anesthetized. IV sedation is used to optimize the dental procedure. This is beneficial for people with innate fear of dental tools and procedures. By inhibiting your senses, you can wake up after the procedure is completed with almost no memory of the treatment. IV sedation is s harmless and effectual solution to dental nervousness.
Are Dental Implants Permanent?
Dental implants are not necessarily permanent and require extensive maintenance and good oral health care. Due t o the fact that dental implants don’t move with the rest of the teeth, they are prone to submerging. Studies suggest that implants can submerge a bit as you continue to grow and bone and tissue development takes place.
Your doctor will go over this with you and it takes a few years before this may happen so not to worry.
What Do I Do If I Have Submerged Implants?
A submerged dental implant isn’t much of a problem. The implant crown may need to be replaced and there are a variety of other procedures which can be performed to fix it.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
There are quite a few advantages of dental implants which include:
Retain Your Natural Face Shape
Without teeth, your face might appear saggy and sunken. Dental implants aid greatly in maintain the natural facial looks.
Protect Bones
After losing one or more teeth, the empty spaces in your mouth may lead to additional dental health issues. When the jawbone isn’t being used, it starts to grow weak and deteriorates. Dental implants are one solution that can help preserve the natural jaw bone.
Ease in Speaking and Eating
As dental implants function like natural teeth, unlike removable dentures, they allow you to speak freely and naturally. Additionally, you can chew and bite all you want pretty conveniently.
A Long Term Solution
Dental implants might require periodic adjustments but unlike dental bridges, they are built to last a lifetime if they are properly placed and maintained.
Easy Repairs
If you damage your dental implant in a sports injury or an accident, they can be easily fixed or replaced, unlike bridge work or other dental procedures.
How Successful Are Dental Implant Procedures?
Dental implants procedures have improved and perfected over the decades and if you fulfill the criteria of having a successful dental implant, you can have the perfect set of teeth you desire. Good oral health and maintenance is required to keep the implants bright and new.
