Bright teeth are one of the signs of prosperity, health, and beauty. When you smile and people see a mouthful of dull, yellowish teeth or black bits in your mouth, it can make them uncomfortable around you. Also, missing teeth make it hard to chew your food properly, to appear friendly and confident. A beautiful smile is something you want for yourself. But if several pieces of your teeth are missing, then the solution is dental implants.
Once you decide to go with dental implant surgery, consider Century Smile Dental; their dentists are skilled and ensure everything goes well. Read on to learn when you need dental implant surgery.
When Do You Need Dental Implant Surgery?
It is a procedure that replaces a missing tooth or teeth with a dental implant. A dental implant is a small artificial root surgically placed in your jawbone where it fuses with the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It is a permanent solution for tooth loss because it doesn’t move or loosen like dentures, bridges, or other dental restorations.
The most common reason people have dental implant surgery is that they’re missing one or more teeth and aren’t able to wear traditional removable dentures comfortably. Other reasons include:
- Age-related tooth loss—older adults often have multiple missing teeth.
- Periodontal disease causes the loss of all teeth in one mouth area.
- Jaw injuries such as broken jaws or facial fractures may require the removal of some teeth to allow the healing of other injured areas.
What Is the Procedure of Dental Implants?
The procedure of dental implants is a surgical procedure that involves the placement of a titanium post into the jawbone.
The implant surgery can take up to two hours to complete and requires minimal pain since it is done under local anesthesia. During this time, the dentist will make an incision in your gum tissue and place the implant into your jawbone. It allows anchoring your new tooth securely over time as it heals. The dentist then closes the gums.
You will recover for three months before getting your permanent crown. By this time, the implant is strong because the bone has grown around it.
Once healed, the dentist will place an abutment( it holds the new tooth), a connecting piece over the implant.
A few weeks after this, an impression of your mouth will be taken so that your dentist can make a custom-made piece of crown made out of porcelain or other materials, depending on what looks best for you. This crown or bridge will then be attached directly to the abutment, so it fits snugly on top without any gaps between them!
Recovery Period of Dental Implants
The recovery time is a few weeks. During this time, you’ll want to avoid eating or drinking anything that will damage the healing process. Take yogurts, smoothies and creamy soups for the first three days.
Expect pain and swelling in the mouth after the procedure. You may also experience bleeding and gum irritation due to the anesthetic used during the procedure. The common side effects are numbness, soreness, and bruising around the implant site. You can take Advil to reduce the pain.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
When caring for dental implants, remember to brush and floss twice daily. It will help protect your new teeth from plaque and other bacteria that could cause infection or discoloration. Visit a dentist bi-annually for checkups and cleanings. These visits allow a professional to monitor the condition of your implants and ensure they’re functioning properly.
Who Should Go for Dental Implants?
They are best for patients who have lost teeth but are not suitable for everyone. The best candidate should have healthy gums supporting an implant and enough bone to hold the implant.
Your dentist should evaluate your oral health to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
If you’re not a good candidate for dental implants though, this dentist who does veneers in Clifton says this is no reason to worry as there are other treatments to replace missing teeth such as dentures and bridges.
Do You Need Dental Implant After Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction can leave a gap in your smile, but an implant will allow you to keep your beautiful smile and prevent further damage to your mouth.
If you have a tooth extracted, you will need an implant to replace it. If you don’t get an implant, the bone around the extraction site will start to deteriorate. Without chewing, the jawbone will shrink because of a lack of stimulation.
To prevent this is by getting an implant placed immediately after tooth removal, maintaining the tooth alignment.
If you have missing teeth and you do not want to use dentures, your dentist evaluates your condition and creates a treatment plan that is right for your mouth. Getting a dental implant is easier than you think. All you need is a positive, relaxed attitude and the desire to smile again with the same confidence you once enjoyed.