Dental implants are artificial teeth that provide a strong foundation for permanent or removable replacement teeth that are custom made for the patient to match their original teeth.
Dental implants replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones.
Some of those reasons people may lose their teeth include:
Dental implant surgery gives individuals the opportunity to have artificial teeth implanted in their mouth that look exactly like real teeth instead of using ill-fitting dentures or bridgework. In this day in age dental implants are used more widely than bridges and other procedures to replace missing teeth the reasons are that they:
The type of implant and the condition of your jawbone determines the performance of the surgery. Dental implants involve several procedures and can take several months to complete.
Dental implants can help rid any difficulty you may be experiencing eating or talking and it can help you achieve better-looking teeth if you're unhappy with the teeth you currently have in your mouth. Many people who have had dental surgery claim that it is well worth the time and expense.
Step 1: Custom Treatment Plan: Dental implants require several steps. The first step in the process is creating a custom treatment plan. The plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry. This team approach provides personalized treatment based on the dental implant that is best for you.
Step 2: X-Rays and a CT Scan: In some cases, the dentist will need to take several x-rays and a CT scan to evaluate and make sure that the bone quality is strong enough to withhold the procedure. The dentist will also have to check for good bone structure, so they can avoid that area before drilling. It is common for the dentist to give the patient a local anaesthetic, so they are unable to feel any pain. If the procedure is going to be long or if the patient seems to be nervous the dentist may use sedation.
Step 3: Tooth Root Implant: Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone begins to heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it strongly in the jaw. The healing process can take from six to twelve weeks.
Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post - called an abutment - is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make your new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth, and creates a model of your bite. The impression makes a copy of your teeth, their type, and arrangement, so the dentist can create an accurate replica. Your new tooth or teeth are based on this impression. A replacement tooth, which called a crown, is attached to the abutment.
Instead of one or more individual crowns, some patients may have attachments placed on the implant that hold on to and support a removable denture.
Your dentist also will match the color of your new teeth to your natural teeth. The implant is held safe within the jawbone, so the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth. The difference is barely noticeable.
You can use over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or Motrin to treat mild soreness during the healing process. Dental implants have been used worldwide for over 30 years to replace missing teeth and they can endure a lifetime depending upon how you look after them. Like any other cosmetic procedure, your implant-supported teeth can still be damaged by gum disease and poor oral hygiene. Just because you have dental implants does not mean you should stop caring for your teeth. Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.
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