Dental implants are highly recommended by dentists when it comes to replacing missing teeth. These prosthetics are the most efficient way to replace a missing tooth since it prevents bone tissue degeneration and looks and functions just like a real tooth.
Dealing with an unsightly gap in your smile due to a missing tooth or more? Dental implants can restore your smile and get you back to your normal self.
What to expect when getting dental implants
1. The initial examination
Dental implants are inserted directly into a person's jawbone, so the dentist needs to ensure the patient has adequate amounts of jawbone tissue for the device. The dentist will examine the patient by visually inspecting the person's teeth and taking X-rays of them. Depending on the results of these tests, the dentist might decide to go on with the procedure, recommend bone grafts or advise the patient to use a different type of restoration.
2. The first surgery
Once a patient has been cleared for implants, the dentist will schedule a date for the placement of the implant. During the procedure, the dentist will administer a shot of anesthesia and make an incision on the gums. This makes it easier for the dentist to reach the jawbone. The dentist will then drill a hole and firmly insert the implant inside the jawbone. The gums are stitched back up, and the patient is given six to seven months for the implant to properly fuse with the person's jawbone.
For most people, this marks the end of the first surgery. In some cases, the dentist might decide to attach the crown after the first surgery if the patient has enough bone tissue to support it. This procedure is called same-day implants.
3. Attaching the crown
Once the implant has properly fused with the jawbone tissue, the crown is placed on an abutment on the external-facing end. This completes the implant procedure and the patient's smile is restored. It typically takes about seven months for the entire process.
Life after getting dental implants
While the process of getting implants often takes several months, once it is over, the patient is free as a bird. There are no complicated cleaning procedures when it comes to implants. Patients simply need to take care of their teeth like they normally would. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and regular checkups are all it takes to ensure implants last upward of 25 years.
There is no adjustment period with implants since they function and look just like a real tooth.
The benefits for those who opt for implants include:
- Jawbone tissue is preserved
- The remaining teeth do not start to move toward the gap created by the missing tooth
- There is no need to purchase specialized tools to clean them
- The patient gets a replacement tooth that is virtually indistinguishable from a real one
Dealing with a missing tooth? Time to get that space filled up with a dental implant. Set up an appointment with one of our dentists today.
Are you considering getting dental implants in the Auburn area? Get more information at https://pier210dental.com.
