There are several dental solutions for people facing tooth loss. Dental implants are an effective procedure for people who need one or more replacement teeth. This procedure involves inserting small metal posts into the jawbone and attaching an artificial tooth to each post.
This procedure is highly popular since implants look and feel natural. With proper care, many patients can keep their implants for the rest of their lives. Dental implants are available at Smile Solutions in Pittsburg and the surrounding area. Call us to schedule an appointment.
The Dental Implant Process
Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to support new replacement teeth. During the procedure, an incision is made in the patient’s gum to expose the bone where the implant will be placed. We will then insert the implant and suture the gum around the implant post. In some cases, a temporary denture is used instead of replacement teeth.
Following the surgery, the bone needs to heal around the dental implant. This process can take several weeks or months. Once it is sufficiently strong, a dentist can fit the permanent replacement teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, some extra steps may be necessary. For patients with weak jawbones, a bone graft may be needed to ensure sufficient strength. After the bone has healed, an abutment connects a crown or dentures to the dental implant.
- Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to support new replacement teeth.
How To Care For Dental Implants
Caring for dental implants is very similar to caring for natural teeth, especially if the replacement teeth are permanent. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash is necessary for maintaining proper oral hygiene with implants. Getting regular checkups and teeth cleanings at the dentist are important for taking care of replacement teeth.
Dental implants may require extra cleaning to keep them in optimal condition. Removable, implant-supported dentures should be taken out at night and soaked in a denture solution. Patients can also use an oral irrigator to help clean below and around the dental implants.
- Caring for dental implants is very similar to caring for natural teeth, especially if the replacement teeth are permanent.
What To Expect After The Dental Implant Procedure
It is normal to experience some soreness and swelling at the implant site following the procedure. We recommend patients apply an ice pack for the next couple of days to reduce swelling. Patients can manage pain with a prescription or over-the-counter painkillers and may also receive antibiotics to prevent postoperative infections. Patients who experience swelling or significant pain that persists for more than a few days after the surgery should contact their dentists.
While the site heals, patients should eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the implant. Dentists often use self-dissolving stitches that usually fall out in seven to 10 days. In some cases, when non-dissolving sutures are required, another appointment is needed to remove them in 10 to 14 days. Following post-care instructions will aid the healing process.
- Following post-care instructions will aid the healing process.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
Dental implants can be a good choice for many patients with missing teeth. Dental implants allow new teeth to feel, look, and function naturally. Here are some key benefits of dental implants:
- Comfortable: Dental implants act as tooth roots and stay firmly in place. This firm foundation makes them more comfortable than dentures and other replacement tooth options. Many patients report that implants feel similar to their natural teeth.
- Functional: The stability of implants makes them effective for eating, talking, and cleaning. They function similarly to the teeth they are replacing. Less permanent options may interfere more with daily life.
- Permanent: Dental implants are one of the most permanent tooth replacement options. They can last a lifetime with good care. Additionally, fixed replacement teeth on implants do not need to be removed every day for cleaning.
- Natural-looking: Implant-supported replacement teeth look like natural teeth. The visible part of the dental implant is a cosmetic crown made from a composite material that is color-matched to the patient’s tooth enamel. It can be hard to tell the difference. Many patients enjoy dental implants’ aesthetic appeal, as others cannot tell the difference between the replacement and natural teeth.
- Dental implants allow new teeth to feel, look, and function naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
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By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Dental Implant Terminology
An abutment is a component that attaches to the dental implant so a professional can place a dental crown to provide patients with an artificial, aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional smile.
Multiple replacement teeth that are fixed in place via attachment to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Endosteal is a type of dental implant that a professional places in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.
Eposteal is a type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.
An implant-supported bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix in place with the use of dental implants inserted in the jaw to create a sturdy set of artificial teeth.
Osseointegration is the process by which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months after an oral health professional places the implant in the jaw.
Literally “around the tooth.”
Resorption is the process by which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw since there are no tooth roots to cause the necessary stimulation and proceeds to use the calcium in other areas.
Transosteal is a type of dental implant that includes threaded posts that penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.
Call Us To Learn More About Dental Implants
Dental implants closely imitate the form and function of natural teeth. If you are missing teeth, this may be the solution for you. Call today to set up an appointment at Smile Solutions and learn more about this procedure.