Dental implants are an ideal option for people looking for a more permanent solution for their missing teeth. These metal posts close the gaps, restore your smile, and preserve your dental health.
However, many people are reserved about getting dental implants because of phobia. But, before getting the best dental implants near you, here are a few facts about implants.
1. Teeth Implants Are as Strong as Your Natural Teeth
Teeth implants are made of titanium screws, an abutment, and a dental crown. The screws are surgically fixed on the jaw bone to support the artificial teeth. If properly fixed, these implants create a seamless look and resemble your natural teeth in function and appearance.
2. Implants are More Than a Cosmetic Procedure
Although most people get implants to close the gaps and improve their smiles, they have other great benefits. Dental implants preserve your dental structure by preventing bone loss.
Once the teeth are extracted, the alveolar bone gets reabsorbed in the body to be used for other things. The dissolving of this bone causes the jaw bone to weaken. The more you stay without teeth, the higher the reabsorption process will be. Furthermore, the available spaces cause the surrounding teeth to shift to fill them. This will further cause the bone and teeth to weaken.
Because the implants are fixed on the jaw to act as roots, they will stop the process. Plus, they also support bone regeneration and preserves your structure.
3. Implant Surgery Is Not Complicated
Dental implants require a few dental visits to be fixed, and the process is done in a few steps:
- Dental examination and planning
When you visit our dentist in Tracy, CA, he will first do a comprehensive dental assessment. He will examine the dental structure and assess bone density. It is crucial to have enough bone support for the implants to be fixed. If you don’t meet the criteria, the dentist may recommend a bone graft. Bone grafting is a procedure done to stimulate new bone growth.
Next, he will create a customized plan based on the type of implant you want, the number of missing teeth, and your jaw bone condition.
The dentist will take you through the surgery process, how it is done, the risks involved, and what to expect after the procedure.
- Fixing of the dental implant
If you don’t need a bone graft, the dentist will proceed to fix the implant. Since it is a surgical procedure, local anesthesia is given to numb the gums. However, if you have dental phobia, the dentist may use dental sedation. Sedation dentistry is ideal for people with a low threshold of pain, gag reflex, and anxiety. Several options are available, but the IV and deep sedation may be ideal for the implant surgery.
The dentist will drill the jaw bone and insert the implants. It will take about two to three months for the gums to heal and fuse to the bone. The implants and bone must fuse to offer strong support.
- Fixing the abutment
The dentist will schedule an appointment to fix the abutment, which connects the implant and the crown. The fixing of the abutment is done under local anesthesia, and it involves slightly opening the gums. It takes about two weeks for the exposed gums to heal. A mold of your teeth is taken to make the permanent dental crowns.
- Placing the dental crown
The final step is to fix the crown, and it can either be fixed or removable. For the fixed crowns, the dentist will cement or screw them in place.
4. Implants Are More Permanent
Since the implants are directly placed on the jaw, they offer a permanent solution. The process also has a high success rate. However, you may experience swelling, discomfort, and bleeding after the procedure.
The dentist will prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers to ease the discomfort. However, if these problems persist, visit the best dentist near you for assessment and treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Innovo Dental and Implant Studio for more information on dental implants and their benefits.