Are you planning for dental implants? Do you want to know how dental implants work? In the current condition, you will find many options to replace your broken or decayed teeth. Dental implants are one of them. You can consider dental implants to replace your teeth and get a natural look. It is not about natural appearance only. Also, dental implants can boost the functionality of your teeth. In the following, we will know more about dental implants with positives and negatives.
What Is the Process?
Dental implants are the procedures to replace an entire tooth. Implants offer a strong foundation for your artificial teeth. The process is safe for most healthy people. However, if you have any health issues, you can talk to your physician before going ahead with your decision.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
If you have lost one or more teeth, you would like to restore the functionality and appearance of the lost teeth with a replacement. Your dentist might suggest you an implant. An implant is a popular option now since it helps with a natural look. The best thing is that it will attach the artificial teeth to your jawbone. Hence, it will look like your teeth only. But you cannot consider this option if your jawbone is not healthy. The requirements for dental implants are healthy jawbones and healthy gums. If you do not have healthy jawbones, you cannot get the desired support. Therefore, you cannot go with this option.
If you are healthy, your dentist will go with this procedure. Once you visit the medical professional, he will explain the process. You will be administered local or general anesthesia at the dentist’s office. Here are more details for your better understanding.
- Implant Placement: First, your dentist will do surgery to place the implant in the jaw. The professional will place the implant in the jaw bone. Your dentist will wait for three to six months before deciding the next step. Hence, you will have to prepare yourself for this period. Your dentist will discuss every detail before starting the procedure. If you have any confusion, you can talk to the dentist. There should not be any fear or doubt.
- Post Attachment: Your dentist will attach a post to your implant. In some cases, the professional might consider placing the post and implant simultaneously. Even if the placement time varies, both will work as an anchor for your artificial teeth.
- Attaching the Crown: After this, your dentist will attach a crown to your implant post. It is worth mentioning that the crown will be customized based on the size and shape of your teeth. Therefore, you can expect the best outcome.
After placing the implant, new bone tissues will form and give the desired support to the implant. Hence, there will be a waiting period of three to six months. The process of growing new tissues is called osseointegration. After this, the implant will be strong enough to work as a natural root. Once the implant becomes strong, your dentist will attach the customized crown to it. The process will not be painful since the healthcare professional will administer anesthesia while placing the implant.
You might be thinking about how long it will take to place implants. It might take several hours. Moreover, your dentist might consider more than one procedure based on the condition of your teeth. If you are prone to infection due to underlying health issues, you can avoid this dental procedure. Even if dental implants are safe, there will be some requirements. Therefore, it is a must to know your health conditions before planning for the implants. Also, you will have to follow the instructions of your dentist carefully. There will be some post-care instructions to avoid complications and speed up the healing process.
Would You Feel Like Natural Teeth?
Yes, this is the benefit of the implants. Implants will look and function like natural teeth. You will feel better than dentures. As stated earlier, implants will look like a screw and work as a root for your artificial teeth. When it comes to the material, the most commonly used material is titanium. However, most of the implant materials are safe and will not cause any adverse reaction.
Is There Any Unique Requirement?
Yes, there will be a few. Dental implants are not for everyone. Many of us experience dental issues. However, we keep ignoring it unless the condition is unbearable. If you do so, you will limit your treatment options. We can say the same about dental implants. Dental implants will require a healthy jawbone and gum. If both of these are not in good condition, you cannot go with this procedure. Hence, whenever you experience any teeth issue, visit your dentist. You can also consider yearly checkups. It is worth mentioning that your teeth do not boost your chewing ability only. They impact your look and confidence significantly. More importantly, your lost teeth will affect your speaking ability. Therefore, you should never ignore your oral health.
Additionally, you might need some extra procedures before placing the implants. You might need bone grafting if your jawbone is not healthy. The process will help your jawbone to support the implants. In rare conditions, facial anatomy can help to know the position of your sinus cavity. If it indicates that the implant will intrude upon your sinus, your dentist might consider the sinus lift process. It is a rare process, and most people do not need this.
Wrapping It Up
Now you might have an idea about how dental implants work and the unique requirements. You can talk to your dentist to know more about the complications and benefits. Also, you can consider a reputed and experienced dentist for this procedure to get the best outcome. Apart from that, you will have to share all your concerns and medical conditions to avoid any last-minute hassle.