Dental Implants
Many people have experienced tooth loss, whether because of poor hygiene, aging, an accident, or bad genetics. But whatever the reason, a missing tooth can’t go without replacing. That’s why dental implants were created. Dental implants are the most successful form of tooth replacement, restoring your oral health and your ability to chew, speak and smile naturally.
This implant functions as a prosthetic tooth that both looks and feels natural. It replaces your original tooth’s root with a titanium screw that bonds with the jawbone, rooting the fake tooth in place. One implant can secure one to four fake teeth safely in place, which will keep your teeth from drifting and shifting out of position because of the gaps left by the missing teeth. This will help preserve the beauty of your smile and the integrity of your surrounding natural teeth. It will also prevent your jawbone from losing density, which would otherwise create a sunken appearance in the facial structure.
Dental Implant Itself (Photo credit: M. Janicki)
Perhaps most importantly, dental implants will restore your self-esteem and confidence when you smile, speak and chew. They look completely natural, and you may even forget the implant is fake. Enjoy eating the foods you love and smiling and laughing confidently again with your new teeth!
What Causes Tooth Loss?
Some of the most common causes of tooth loss are:
- Facial injury
- Tooth decay
- Erosion of the enamel
- A root canal procedure failure
- Congenital defects
- Gum disease
Your Dental Implants are Only Three Steps Away:
DSC00659.JPG (Photo credit: mikeypage10)
Step One: Meet With Your Dentist
It’s important to talk to your dentist about your options. He will be able to examine your mouth and determine whether you are eligible for titanium implants. It is possible you will need a bone graft because your bone density is insufficient to hold an implant in place, which will affect the price, procedures, and healing period. To avoid needing this extra surgery, replace your missing tooth as soon as you lose it. This will prevent bone loss.
Step Two: The Implant Surgery
Before the implant surgery begins, you may need a bone graft surgery. If this is the case, this will be done first, followed by a healing period of a few months. You will have a follow-up appointment, and if all is well, you will be able to begin the implantation procedure.
During the implantation procedure, the oral surgeon will drill a small hole into your gum and jaw bone where the tooth will need to be placed. The surgeon will then insert the small titanium implant screw and close the gum tissue over it. After about six months, the osseointegration will be complete, meaning that the titanium will have fully fused to the jawbone. At this point, the oral surgeon will attach the permanent crown and send you on your way.
If you have one day implants, the process will be quicker; rather than closing the gum tissue over the implant after it is placed, the oral surgeon will immediately place a temporary crown. This allows you to have a functional tooth during the healing process, before the permanent crown is placed.
Step Three: Recovery
The recovery process should not be a painful one, though you may be given a prescription for pain medication for the days immediately following the implantation. Depending upon the type of implant used, however, the healing time will vary, but traditionally, it can take up to six months. You will need to have regular dental check-ups, but with proper care, your dental implants can last you a lifetime.
