(ThyBlackMan.com) Getting dental implants can be a great way to correct misaligned or missing teeth. They can also be used to replace severely misshapen or damaged teeth and help you get your smile back. While most people are familiar with dental implants, there are still many things about them the general public may not be aware of. But before you go for the procedure, you have to know exactly what dental implants are and what you can expect from them. In this article, we’re going to give you everything you need to know about dental implants so you’ll be better informed once you get the procedure.
What are Dental Implants Exactly?
Before you go for the procedure, it’s important that you know what dental implants are in the first place. The procedure starts with adding an implant directly into your jaw that will act as an artificial root for the implant. Implants are made from ceramic and metal, most likely titanium, that will work with your jaw. The implant will completely fuse with your jaw in order to support a bridge, crown or full denture.
There are principally two types of implants. Endosteal implants are usually the most common type and are implanted straight into the bone. Subperiosteal implants will be placed on the bone and are usually for people who don’t have the proper bone height or are unable to wear traditional dentures.
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Implants have tons of advantages that make them a great choice for anybody with missing teeth. For one, dental implants are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth and will function almost the same way. You won’t even notice that you have implants most of the time and they will perform just like your natural teeth. They won’t shift or slip either.
Implants are also much more convenient than dentures, for instance, and are treated the exact same way as your natural teeth are. That means you won’t need to take them off at night to give them a soak, and they don’t need support from the teeth surrounding them, which will allow you to maintain your tooth structure, unlike a bridge.
Implants will also prevent nearby teeth from moving, which will preserve the contour of your face and jaw. Implants are the absolute best solution for missing teeth and will allow you to enjoy a full dentition and won’t require that you make huge lifestyle changes either.
Are You Eligible for Implants?
Before you think about getting implants, you have to know that not everyone is eligible. There are some cases where your dentist will advise that you go for another solution. Your gums have to be healthy, and you need to have proper bone support to undergo the procedure. You also have to be in general good health. If you tick all these boxes, then you should be able to get implants. If your bone height isn’t adequate for the procedure however, a clinic like Perfect Smile Spa Implants Clinic, for instance, will be able to build up your jawbone so you can get implants.
You should also know that patients suffering from leukaemia or diabetes may require more time to recover from the procedure. And people who smoke are at a higher risk of suffering complications later on, so be aware of that.
How Will the Procedure Go?
In-jaw dental implants are performed in your dentist’s office and you’ll generally undergo a local anaesthetic beforehand. The procedure is fairly quick and virtually painless. Once the procedure is done, you might experience some slight pain or swelling and you will be asked to refrain from consuming any hard or hot foods. You’ll be limited to a mainly soft or liquid diet and will only be able to drink lukewarm or cold drinks and meals while recovering.
Note that your dentist will have to wait for a few months before the actual crown or tooth is installed over the implant fixture. During the waiting time, the implant fixture and your bone will begin to grow and fuse together in a process called osseointegration. In between time, your dentist may install a temporary crown, denture or bridge to help with speaking and chewing. Of course, if you would really want to get your entire mouth fixed up in one sitting you could opt for all-on-four dental implants. This procedure allows the dentist to address most all of the actual dental work in one sitting and minimizes the number of follow up visits that you will need.
Getting Your Implants
During the osseointegration period, gum tissue will start to cover the implant fixture. Before the implant is installed, your dentist will need to uncover the implant and install a healing collar. Only then can the dentist start work on your teeth and installing the implants. Impressions will then be taken and your dentist will attach your new tooth to the fixture.
How to Care for Implants
For the most part, implants will require that you take care of them the same way you would your natural teeth. But if you want to get the best out of your implants and want them to last, it would be wise to go for regular visits with your dentist and go for a professional cleaning once in a while. Make sure that you brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day and pay special attention to the area around the implants to make sure that there is no swelling around the gums.
Dental implants can be a lifesaver and completely transform the way you see yourself and the way others see you. Make sure that you learn as much as you can about the procedure and choose the right team for the job.
Staff Writer; Carl Stewart