What Are Dental Implants?
Missing teeth can affect your speech, make it difficult to chew properly, contribute to bone loss, and allow your remaining teeth to shift out of alignment. Dental implants (endosseous implants) have gained popularity in recent years for the simple reason that they are better tooth replacements than nearly any other method.
With a porcelain crown, they’re so real in appearance and function, even you may forget which is the replacement tooth. Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants, so call our dental center to find out if you qualify.
The loss of a tooth — from accident, disease, or extraction — increases the risk of other dental problems. Depending on the location of the lost tooth, you may notice discomfort, movement of your other teeth, or even a sunken facial appearance. Changes to your face happen because you lose not only the tooth but also the bone in your jaw. Normally, the tooth’s root stimulates the jawbone to continue regenerating; without it, your jaw stops renewing and starts degrading.
Dental implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement. Implant-supported dentistry brings you as close to growing new teeth as possible. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported your tooth roots, implants look and feel like natural teeth. Embedded in your bone, they’re securely anchored, and the porcelain crown produces a life-like result.
According to NCBI, the dental implant success rate is around 90%-95% over the past 10 years. Artificial teeth are considered the most popular treatment option for missing teeth, but the complications are still the biggest challenge.
An excellent choice for one or more missing teeth, implants can hold dentures as well. You’ll enjoy the stability and develop a sense of confidence with endosseous implants. The fusion of the implant to your jawbone not only provides a firm, stable foundation for replacement teeth it also stimulates your bone to continue regenerating.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?
At Stamford Dental Arts, restorative dentistry takes a thoroughly modern approach. Digital x-rays and 3D mapping and models provide the technology needed to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Depending on the number of teeth you’re missing, your dentists may recommend one of two types of implants:
- Single-tooth implant. After determining your bone health and density, your implant dentist may suggest a single tooth implant if you’re missing just one tooth. This type of implant consists of one surgically implanted post and an attached crown.
- Denture implants. Missing multiple teeth doesn’t have to mean an uncomfortable conventional bridge or denture appliance. Your dental implant specialist can implant two or more posts to hold a mounted bridge or plate. This approach keeps the surrounding teeth healthy and uncompromised. Denture implants are permanent or removable.
If you have a weak or degraded jawbone, you’re not automatically disqualified from getting implants. But you may need a bone graft first. The grafting procedure is dental surgery to encourage less dense bone areas of your jaw to develop a more solid foundation for a tooth implant.
Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants
Dental implants don’t work for everyone. You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Have healthy gum tissue
- Can’t tolerate traditional bridges
- Can’t or won’t wear dentures
- Are a non-smoker
- Enjoy good overall medical health
- Practice regular oral hygiene habits
- Have a fully developed jawbone with little degradation
- Are willing to invest the time required for the implant to fuse to the bone
The advantages of endosseous implants come from their realistic look and natural function. Implants won’t slip, damage your other teeth, cause bone damage, result in jaw pain or make any noise. These issues can be the consequences of dental bridges or dentures.
The Procedure for Dental Implants
Many patients find dental implant surgery easier than they anticipated. Various types of sedation are available to eliminate any pain and maintain your comfort level. Although your implant dentist customizes every tooth replacement treatment, you can expect the endosseous implant procedure to include some or all of these steps:
- Removing any damaged tooth or root material
- Preparing the jawbone with a bone graft, if needed
- Numbing the area with some level of anesthesia
- Creating a tiny guide hole for threading the small implant cylinder
- Placing the titanium dental implant into your jaw below the gumline
- Protecting the implant while it heals, usually in three to six months
- Giving you a temporary crown when possible
- Adding an abutment or post onto the screw-like implant once it’s healed
- Molding a crown that resembles your other teeth and placing it onto the abutment
Our specialist may be able to combine some of these steps. For affordable dental implants, for example, your implant dentist places the abutment and your new crown in the same visit. This immediate implant placement helps reduce endosseous implant costs and speeds up recovery times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Tooth implants are a good long-lasting option for patients with missing teeth since they provide a wide range of benefits, including:
- Prevention of bone loss
- Durability
- Prevention of tooth decay
- Appearance improvement
- Convenience
- Improvement of overall health
What Are the Potential Risks of Dental Implants?
When a qualified implant dentist performs the procedure, the risk of complications is minimized. However, some health risks are possible. They are typically minor and can be easily treated.
Potential dental implant risks include:
- Infection
- Perforation
- Allergic reaction
- Gum recession
What to Expect After Dental Implant Treatment?
Once your implants are placed, you need to do everything to speed up the healing process. To avoid possible complications and help your mouth heal quicker, it’s important to strictly follow the recommendation of your tooth practitioner, such as eating soft foods, avoiding smoking, and maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Minor bleeding and swelling are normal during dental implant recovery. But if these side effects remain for a few weeks following your surgery, contact our dental implant doctors immediately. Proper endosseous implant care and regular dentist appointments will lower your risk of complications and positively affect the lifespan of your new teeth.
Will I Be Sedated for My Procedure?
Dental anxiety and fear are not only common in children but also prevalent in adults because of a high degree of pain. Dental sedation is always recommended because implant placement procedure is highly invasive. There are various dental implant sedation options, and the right type depends on the extent of the procedure and your comfort level. If you are only having one or two implants placed, general anesthesia should not be needed. A local anesthetic should be more than enough to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
In case you feel anxious about dental procedures, Dr. Ali Modiri will combine local anesthesia with conscious sedation. It is normally administrated in the form of a pill or using nitrous oxide gas. In this scenario, you will be conscious, aware of your surroundings, and able to follow your doctor’s instructions, but you will feel completely relaxed.
To make the best decision for your oral health, make sure you voice your deepest concerns before the procedure. Even though complications are rare, our dentist will disclose all the potential side effects and risks prior to committing to surgery.
As with any dental procedure, your overall health contributes to the success of your treatment. Tell our best-rated dentists in Stamford about health concerns from diabetes, tobacco use, cancer treatments, or any immune suppressant conditions. For quality care and treatment to improve your smile as well as your dental health, contact Stamford Dental Arts. We’ll help you determine the most appropriate and affordable dental implant for you.
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