What Are Dental Implants? Know If They’re The Right Solution

If you are considering getting a tooth implant, you may be wondering what exactly is involved in the surgical procedure. Getting dental implants can be a beneficial treatment option for those who are missing natural teeth and want to restore their smile. Here’s a look at what you should know about the dental implant procedure.

 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are prosthetic devices that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace a lost tooth or teeth. They typically consist of a titanium post, an abutment (a metal connector used to attach the implant to the crown or bridge), and a dental crown, which sits atop the titanium post.

 

 

What is the dental implant procedure?

Before getting dental implants, the dentist will do an oral examination and take X-rays to determine if a patient is a candidate for dental implant surgery. If so, they will then create a custom dental implant treatment plan that best suits their needs. The process starts with surgically placing the implant post in the jawbone to serve as the tooth root replacement. Depending on the size and number of implants needed, this step can take several hours or more than one visit to complete. After placement, there is usually about three to six months of healing time for the jawbone to fuse with the posts.

Once healed, impressions are taken of the patient’s mouth and sent off for fabrication of custom abutments that fit onto the implant posts. This process generally takes about two weeks to complete. When the abutment arrives from the lab, the dentist will attach it permanently to the implant post and then place a crown (artificial tooth) over it so that it looks like a real tooth! This entire process can take 6-9 months, depending on healing time; however, many patients report not being able to tell which tooth is an implant!

Post-Surgery Care

After your implants have been restored with prosthetic devices, it’s important to follow post-surgery care instructions given by your dentist in order to ensure successful healing and prevent any complications from occurring. Proper dental hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and regularly rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash, are essential for keeping bacteria levels low around your new implants and preventing infection or decay around them. Additionally, regular dental checkups should also be part of your post-surgery care routine in order for your dentist to monitor how well your implants are doing over time.

 

Who is a good candidate for implants?

A good candidate for tooth implants will have healthy gums and enough jawbone to support the implant. Patients should be free from gum disease and oral infection before undergoing any type of dental prosthetic treatment, including implants. Additionally, candidates should understand the cost, benefits, and risks associated before making a final decision about their dental care. If you meet these qualifications and are considering replacing your missing tooth with an implant, contact your dentist, who can provide more information on how it works and how much it will cost.

 

What are the advantages of dental implants?

 

Permanent solution for missing teeth 

Implants are designed to be a permanent solution for missing teeth, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance and long-lasting use. Unlike dentures or bridges, they do not need to be removed and replaced regularly.

Once they’re in place, they will remain firmly rooted in the jawbone. This helps to prevent shifting or slipping while eating or talking over time.

 

No impact on adjacent teeth 

One of the best things about implants is that they don’t require any preparation or reshaping of adjacent teeth, which is often necessary with other restoration options like bridges and dentures. This means that there won’t be any damage done to your existing healthy teeth when getting an implant installed.

 

Improved oral health 

When you have a missing tooth, it can cause problems with your overall oral health if it is not replaced promptly. When you opt for an implant instead of leaving the space empty, you can avoid these problems because an implant functions just like a real tooth by helping maintain proper spacing between adjacent teeth as well as stimulating new bone growth in the area where it is placed. This helps ensure that your bite remains even and balanced so that you can enjoy better oral health overall.

 

Improve your smile at Carindale Family Dentist

Dental implants provide many advantages over traditional dental restoration options, such as bridges and dentures. They are designed to last longer than other methods, provide superior stability and aesthetics, require no preparation of adjacent teeth, and help improve oral health by stimulating new bone growth in the area where they are placed. If you’re seeking a permanent solution for missing one or multiple teeth, dental implants may be right for you! Talk to our dentist today about whether this option is right for you!

Call us at (07) 3324 9172 or (07) 3324 9104 to book your consultation.

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

 

 

 

References

What to know about dental implants
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327515

Dental Implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants