Dental Implants: All You Need To Know

Are you sick and tired of an uncomfortable or unnatural looking denture or dental bridge? Or are you self-conscious about a missing tooth? Forget the past stereotypes and consider a dental implant. Though the procedure can be drawn out for an extended period of time, you’ll be left with a more realistic looking tooth and experience greater comfort in your daily activities.

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth attached to a surgically planted anchor. Most commonly, it’s used to replace a missing tooth or strengthen a previously fractured tooth. When weighing your reconstructive dentistry options, it’s important to consider the additional benefits of dental implants:

• They minimize the possibility of further dental decay and gum disease
  
• Other teeth are prevented from shifting
  
• Your natural bite is kept in place
  
• The healthy teeth around your dental implant are kept safe and secure
  
• You have no dietary restrictions
  
• Any pain experienced while speaking and chewing is eliminated
  

The Dental Implant Procedure

To most, the biggest drawback to dental implants is the time consuming process. While the actual time you spend in the office is nominal compared to other surgeries, due to the time needed to heal between dental visits, the dental implant procedure can take many months. However, you can rest assured that you will be satisfied with your dental implant, as they look and feel totally natural.

• First, a titanium screw is inserted into your gum. If you do not have enough jawbone to support the screw, or your sinus is too low, bone grafting is required.
  
• Your bone must heal around the screw, which is a process known as osseointegration.
  
• After three to six months, a healing collar is attached to the screw. Before the process can continue, your gum tissue must heal and close around the collar, which often takes two weeks
  
• Once healed, the collar is removed and a post attached to the screw
  
• An impression of your mouth and teeth are taken, which is sent to a laboratory where your artificial tooth is made. During this time, a temporary crown is attached
  
• Once the prosthetic tooth is finished, the temporary crown is removed and the dental implant attached
  

Even though dental implants are an investment of both time and finances, if you delay seeking necessary treatment, your oral health will be compromised and your missing tooth will become a greater financial burden down the road.

Guaranteeing Success

In order to guarantee the success of your dental implant, it’s vital that you maintain pristine oral hygiene between surgeries.

If all goes well and you follow appropriate treatment methods for your dental implant, it will last you approximately twenty years.