Investing in dental implants can give you back your confidence and reinstate optimal oral health. Fused with the jawbone, these implants actually stimulate bone growth to imitate natural teeth – but what does this all mean for you before and after surgery?
Uncover more about the many benefits of dental implants treatment today! Keep reading to get a better idea of what to expect from this life-changing treatment!
Why Choosing Dental Implants?
Dental implant treatment has a long history of being one of the most beneficial and effective options for teeth replacement and restoration of missing or damaged teeth.
They are medical-grade titanium devices that act as a tooth root substitute within the jawbone, providing a sturdy foundation for putting in and anchoring artificial teeth.
Dental implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth, giving patients the beautiful smile they want while providing them with increased dental functionality and improved stability in their bite.
Implants also eliminate potential problems relating to shifting of other teeth without dental implants and minimize the risk of bone loss due to missing teeth.
Process of Getting a Dental Implant, From Consultation to Surgery to Aftercare
The dental implant procedure can be broken down into three distinct stages – consultation, surgery, and aftercare. The entire process typically takes between 3 to 6 months and may involve multiple dental professionals.
Consultation
During the consultation phase, your dentist will assess your overall dental health to make sure that you don’t have any tooth decay or severe gum disease.
Discuss the possible risks and the various dental implant options available to you. Whether it’s going to be a single tooth, multiple teeth, or four dental implants.
This usually involves taking dental x-rays and digital impressions of your teeth or creating a wax model of your mouth.
The dental professional then customises the dental implant fixtures or abutments to ensure they fit perfectly within your mouth.
During this phase, your dentist will determine whether bone grafting is needed to support your implant or not.
Bone grafting
Bone grafting is a process that helps to rebuild the jawbone, which weakens over time due to tooth loss or periodontal disease.
A special material is used to strengthen and thicken the existing bone in order to provide a suitable foundation for dental implants. This procedure may be necessary if there isn’t enough bone density to support the implant.
Surgery
During the second stage – surgery – your dentists will start by making a small cut in your gum tissue and drill holes in your jaw bone for implant placement into your jaw bone, then they will place the abutment, which is followed by suturing and bandaging of the area to facilitate healing.
After healing, on the next visit, your dentist will then place the dental crown and bring back your natural smile.
After surgery
Post-surgery, it is recommended that you follow any instructions provided by your dental team to ensure proper aftercare, such as following an optimal oral hygiene regimen, eating softer foods during recovery, and scheduling frequent visits with your dental care provider.
Following these steps should ensure that you have a successful recovery and can enjoy all the benefits associated with dental implants.
How Dental Implants are Evaluated for Safety?
Dental implants are a reliable and safe solution for those suffering from tooth loss, but thorough evaluations still need to be done in order to ensure the implant’s safety.
Appropriately qualified health practitioner usually takes X-rays of the area to check the depth of the jawbone and see if there is enough space for the implant.
The dentist will also review medical information: prior medical conditions, medications are taken, and allergy data. If a patient has a weakened immune system or any signs of infection, a more extensive evaluation may be needed before beginning any treatment.
Once all factors are assessed and deemed satisfactory, dental implant surgery can then proceed with confidence.
Tips on how to take care of your new dental implants
Dental implants are a great long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, so it’s important to properly care for them to ensure they last.
To get the most out of your dental implants, be sure to:
- Maintain thorough oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily and flossing at least once per day.
- Visit your dentist regularly to have the implant site inspected and cleaned and to check for any signs of infection or dysfunction.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods that can cause damage to the implant post itself or damage the abutment that attaches the post to the crown.
- Finally, make sure to keep up with regular dental appointments for professional cleanings.
Following these Dental Implants aftercare tips will help your tooth replacement last years longer than expected!
Pain Levels for Dental Implant
Pain levels during and after treatment tend to be minimal due to modern pain management techniques—like local anaesthesia, and the use of synthetic materials that are better tolerated by delicate tissues than metal ones.
Ultimately, dental implants provide superior oral health and patient satisfaction when compared to other prosthetic therapy options and speaking with your dentist is an excellent way to learn more about this versatile treatment.
Dental implants offer several advantages over other tooth loss solutions. They are a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth that give patients their smile and self-confidence back.
While the initial investment may be higher than other options, implant dentistry offers a smile makeover and lasts a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Get Your Consultation
Patients should schedule regular checkups and cleanings with their dentists to keep their implants healthy and bacteria-free.
If you’re considering dental implants or have any questions about the procedure, you can have a look at our page, dental implant, or call Advanced Dental Care Dubbo today at (02) 6188 7103 to schedule an appointment with our implant specialist.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources
Dental implant surgery
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about-us/pac-20384622
Dental Implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470448/
Dental implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773996/
Dental implants: What you need to know
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know
Dental implant procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant
Dental implants provide a modern, innovative, and permanent way to replace and repair damaged and missing teeth and restore the health and brilliance of your smile.