There is nothing quite as stressful as a missing tooth—or several missing teeth.
Missing a tooth can significantly affect your bite, your speech, and of course, the aesthetics of your smile.
While a gap-toothed grin can be cute when you are young, most adults with missing or broken teeth struggle with how their teeth look and function.
Measures like dentures or dental bridges can correct the gaps, but they only go so far in repairing the damage and, therefore, are more likely a temporary remedy.
Dental implants offer patients a truly permanent form of restoration by filling the gaps with teeth that look and act like the real thing.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are made of durable materials like titanium and zirconium. These screw-like posts fuse with the bone, creating a solid support system for artificial crowns or bridges to replace the visible gaps above.
Dental implants operate and look just like regular teeth, ensuring functionality and appearance.
Dental implants can help patients who have:
Patients who do not have issues with their gums are good candidates for dental implants, as gums and other oral tissues have to be healthy enough to tolerate the procedure.
Ideal candidates should be generally healthy and without any conditions that may affect how the jawbone heals.
In some cases, a bone graft on the jawbone may be necessary before the implants are placed to ensure there is enough bone to support the implants.
Because the procedure involves the bone, dental implants can be a long-term process.
It can take between three and six months for the metal implant to fuse to the jawbone, and a few weeks longer to craft and place the crown.
There will be long waiting times where patients simply have to wait for the bone to finish healing. Patients must be willing to commit to this long-term time frame to ensure the best results.
However, this lengthy process means greater durability as opposed to other options, such as dentures. And with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Once you know that you are the right candidate for dental implants, you can start taking the steps towards replacing your missing teeth and completing your smile.
Getting dental implants is a process that takes a couple of months from start to finish and consists of three stages.
Dental implants are placed in three stages:
An incision is made in the gum, and a hole is drilled into the jaw to make space for the artificial root of the tooth. The titanium root is placed in the bone, and then you’re done with step one.
Don’t worry, inserting the root is always performed under anesthesia to numb the area and help make sure you are comfortable. You may experience some soreness as you heal, but the pain can be handled with over-the-counter pain medication.
Next, you go through osseointegration. The osseointegration process is a healing period—which can last four to six months—where the metal implant root slowly grafts to the surrounding bone. This part of your implant journey is essential as it provides a solid foundation for your new tooth.
Once your implant has become at home in your jaw, it’s time to place the prosthetic tooth. A crown restoration will be attached to the titanium implant and the abutment, ensuring a stable and secured tooth. Your new tooth/implant should be secure and work just as well as natural teeth.
Following your dental implant surgery, it is normal to experience some mild bruising and swelling; however, this usually only lasts for one week. Pain after dental implants should not be severe and can typically be managed with mild pain medications.
Dental implants work in much the same way as your natural teeth, and you will need to care for them just as you would your natural teeth.
There are many ways to take care of your implants and help ensure they are long-lasting. After you have gotten your dental implants, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of them. Failure to take good care of your implants can limit their longevity and result in additional dental problems.
Here are a few helpful tips on how to take good care of your dental implants:
Staying on top of these can help you to maintain your dental implants and your natural teeth for years to come.