What to Know About Dental Implants?
Have you lost one or more of your natural teeth? Unfortunately, tooth loss is still a common dental problem in dentistry, regardless of modernity and technological advancements. While it may be comforting to know you are not alone, it can be distressing to lead a life without teeth. The good news is that there are dental procedures that can help replace your tooth, some offering permanent results. Perhaps one of the treatments you should consider for replacing your teeth is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
They are small screw-like metal posts that replace missing teeth. Dental implants in Encinitas feature titanium, a biocompatible metal that can integrate well with natural bone tissue. The titanium metal post replaces tooth roots, providing a stable foundation for other oral appliances like dental crowns, dentures, or tooth bridges.
How Do Dental Implants Replace Teeth?
The procedure for installing a dental implant is invasive because it involves surgery. The implant dentists in Encinitas usually begin the treatment by making an incision on your gums. The cut allows the dentist to access the bone tissue underneath. The dentist will then use a dental drill or laser tool to create a hole in the jaw. The hole should match the size of the dental implant.
Once there is ample room in your jawbone to host an implant, the dentist will proceed with the implantation procedure. After erecting the metal post in your jawbone, the dentist will sew the gums to hold and support the implant. After this, dentists typically send their patients home to heal and recover. The recovery period can take between 3 to 4 months.
Meanwhile, the dentist will be designing a customized oral appliance to crown the dental implant. The most common appliance is a dental crown, ideal for restoring single teeth. However, your dentist can as well prepare a denture or dental bridge.
Is The Treatment Painful?
Ideally, any invasive dental procedure causes pain. A dental implant procedure is no different. However, you will undergo a pain-free treatment thanks to local anesthesia and sedation dentistry. They entail medication that numbs your mouth and relaxes your mind and body to experience a smooth implantation surgery.
Can Anyone Receive Dental Implants?
Tooth replacement procedures are not limited to a specific few people. As long as you have lost one or more natural teeth, you qualify for most treatment protocols for replacing teeth. However, there are restrictions to receiving dental implants, which may disqualify you from that surgery.
It is a prerequisite to have a healthy jawbone and gums before undergoing implantation surgery. Therefore, if you have gum disease or a weak jawbone, your dentist will recommend seeking treatment for those issues first before you can receive dental implants. Therefore, do not be alarmed if your dentist recommends bone grafting surgery and other treatments for gum disease before you receive dental implants.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The longevity of a dental implant near you depends on various factors, including how well you care for your mouth after treatment. Typically, dental implants can last for many years, ranging between 10 to 20 years. However, some patients have been able to retain healthy dental implants for the remaining part of their life after seeking treatment at Steve Horne, DDS.
How Can You Make Dental Implants Last Long?
Our dental team recommends taking up healthy dental habits and measures that can help lengthen the lifespan of your dental implants, including the following:
- Eat healthily to supply necessary nutrients to your oral cavity.
- Avoid eating hard foods.
- Quit bad oral habits, like fingernail biting, opening lids and cans with your teeth, and chewing hard non-food items, to mention a few.
- Visit your dentist frequently for dental exams and cleanings.
- Get a mouthguard for protecting your teeth from excessive teeth grinding at night.
Conclusion
Dentistry has definitely become better with dental implants done without them. Many patients have benefited from permanent tooth replacement solutions to better their life quality and heightened their self-confidence. If you don’t know where to begin regarding tooth replacement with dental implants, visit a dentist near for further information.