Preparation For Dental implants
Despite
improvements
in
dental
care,
millions
of
Americans
still
suffer
tooth
loss,
usually
due
to
caries,
periodontitis,
or
trauma.
For
a
long
time,
bridges
and
dentures
were
the
only
treatments
available
for
people
with
missing
teeth.
However,
dental
implants
are
available
today.
What are Dental Implants?
A
dental
implant
is
a
replacement
of
the
root
of
a
tooth.
Implants
provide
a
strong
foundation
for
fixed
(permanent)
or
removable
tooth
replacements
that
are
made
to
fit
your
natural
teeth. Dental implant surgery can offer a welcome alternative to dentures or bridgework that doesn't fit well and can offer an option when a lack of natural teeth roots don't allow building denture or bridgework tooth replacements.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
1. Improved
A
ppearance:
Dental
implants
look
and
feel
like
your
own
teeth.
And
because
they're
designed
to
fuse
to
bone,
they're
permanent.
2. Improved
Speech:
If
your
dentures
don't
fit
properly,
your
teeth
may
slide
around
your
mouth,
causing
you
to
mutter
or
speak
slurred.
Dental
implants
allow
you
to
speak
without
fear
of
your
teeth
moving.
3. Improved
comfort:
Implants
become
part
of
you,
eliminating
the
discomfort
of
removable
dentures.
4. Eat
lightly:
Sliding
dentures
make
it
difficult
to
chew.
Dental
implants
act
like
your
own
teeth,
so
you
can
eat
your
favorite
foods
with
confidence
and
pain-free.
5. Improved
self-esteem:
Dental
implants
can
help
restore
your
smile
and
make
you
feel
better.
6. Improved
oral
hygiene:
Dental
implants
do
not
require
cutting
down
other
teeth
like
tooth-supported
bridges
do.
Adjacent
teeth
are
not
modified
to
support
the
implants,
leaving
more
of
your
own
teeth
intact
and
improving
long-term
oral
health.
Individual
implants
also
facilitate
access
between
teeth
and
improve
oral
hygiene.
7. Durability:
Implants
are
highly
durable
and
can
last
for
years.
With
good
care,
many
implants
can
last
a
lifetime.
8. Comfortable:
Removable
dentures
are
just
that.
Removable.
Dental
implants
eliminate
the
pesky
inconvenience
of
removing
dentures
and
the
need
for
pesky
adhesives
to
hold
them
in
place.
Dental implants have become increasingly popular as a decent alternative to dentures in recent years. They are independent, secure, discreet, and comfortable. Dental implantsprovide major support for your teeth if the root of your natural tooth doesn’t support any form of repair options. If you consider dental implants, you must have a good reason for that. Whether you can’t wear dentures, want to improve your speech, or are looking to replace one or two missing teeth, getting a dental implant is right. However, you must know what to expect before getting your dental implants. The following are things to keep in mind as you consider dental implants
Things To Know Before Getting Dental Implants
1. Improve Your Oral Health
It is ideal for improving whatever issues you have with your oral health before you get dental implants. Good oral health will increase your chance to get successful dental health. Your implant dentistwill recommend a good medication for you before the surgery. Floss and brush your teeth daily henceforth to prevent causing harm to your other teeth. This will also prevent implant failure or gum diseases.
2. Be familiar with the Procedure
Learn about the surgery procedure. The doctor will begin by removing your damaged denture. If there’s a need for it, the doctor will graft your jawbone. They will place a small bit of bone into your jawbone. They will also look for the right implant that fits your teeth and insert it. The growth and healing of your bone will take a few months.
3. Check the Doctor’s Experience
Consider the experience of your implant dentist. Check the internet for testimonies and reviews, or get referrals from your family and friends. Know their level of training, whether or not they are licensed, and the number of successful dental implants they’ve carried out. Ask other questions to ensure that the doctor has the knowledge and experience about dental implants.
4. Do You Qualify For Dental Implants?
You must consult with your doctor before your dental implant for examination. Check if your bones are healthy, and have the doctor discuss your medical history. You need a good foundation for your dental implants and it’s your jawbones that can give you that. Losing a tooth shrinks your jaw bone, and it gets more serious the longer you have a missing tooth. Bone augmentation can help you restore your jawbone.
5. Stop Smoking
It should stop for about 12 weeks before your dental implant surgery. After the surgery, give up smoking too. It takes longer for the mouth of smokers to heal, and it might not heal at all. Heavy smokers are vulnerable to implant failure. The sucking during smoking disrupts the healing mechanism that follows the implant. It also negatively affects the chemicals and bacteria at the sites of the implants. This is another health benefit that comes with dental implant surgery.
6. Risks of Dental Implants
Like other surgeries, dental implants also come with their risks. However, problems are not common and can be monitored and treated if they occur. You have to comply with your implant dentist’s recommendations for cleaning after your surgery to avoid infection. Another risk is damage to the structures surrounding the blood vessels or a tooth, which is why the implant must stay immovable in the first few weeks after the surgery. Other risks are sinus problems and nerve damage.
7. Dental Implants Are Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants are embedded in your jawbones. These jawbones are the foundation of your natural teeth, and they will provide your dental implants with stability. Dental implants are identical to natural teeth in their appearance. They blend well with your existing teeth, making it easy to smile with pride again.
Like other things capable of changing someone’s life permanently, the decision to commit to dental implants is no joke. While dental implants permanently replace teeth with a degree of reliability and stability, you must be well prepared for what you are about to get yourself into. The procedure is not painful. Normally, dental implant surgery would be unbearable if anesthesia isn’t used. However, you don’t have to worry about pain.
