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These days Dental Implants are considered as a standard treatment measure for replacing the missing teeth. A dental implant is a metal frame that is surgically fixed into your jaw bone and is allowed to fuse with your bone in a few months. The dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth and has great stability. The dental implants are made of titanium alloy and this alloy fuses with our jaw bone. This process of fusion is called “Osseointegration”. Studies have shown that the success rate of Dental implants is 98%.
When can you go for a Dental Implant?
The main goal of Dental Implants is to bring back the function of teeth as well as the aesthetics. They are used to replace single, many or all teeth. Though the removable dentures are more affordable their inconvenience has made these dental implants more desirable. Choosing dental implants depends on your health, quality of your jaw bone and affordability. Dental surgeon can help you decide if you can go for implants.
Advantages
There are many advantages of dental implants, which include;
- Good aesthetics. Dental implants improve your appearance, and as they are fused with the bone, it gives a feeling of your own teeth.
- Better speech. It allows you to speak better without any trouble as it stays stable in its place.
- Convenience. Dental implants provide better comfort as it becomes a part of you. It becomes a part of your bone by osseointegration.
- Durability. Dental implants last for many years, with good care they last life long.
- Better oral health. Dental implants do not need adjacent teeth to support, thus improves oral health. Implants make eating easier without any pain.
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Is the procedure painful?
As we know there is no gain without pain. Though implant surgery is done under local anesthesia, post-surgical pain and discomfort will be there. A cold ice pack, medications, and oral rinses will help in healing. Once the surgical area is healed, that will take a few weeks then there will be no pain.
Procedure
Dental surgeon will examine the area of the mouth where the dental implant is considered. The quality of the bone is assessed using x-rays and other imaging techniques. During the surgical procedure, you will be given local anesthesia and, also other sedatives if required. The Dental implant procedure involves many stages.
Whether u need single tooth replacement, many teeth or all teeth it can be achieved by dental implants. If you still have a damaged tooth in the site then the first stage of the procedure will be extraction. Usually “alveolar bone graft” or “only bone graft” is done to get a solid base of bone for the implant. After this two to six months of healing is required.
Sometimes, when there is enough bone present, the tooth is extracted and the implant is placed at the same time. It is called “immediate implant” placement.
When the implant needs to be placed in upper jaw in the posterior region, due to the presence of maxillary sinus the availability of bone is limited. In this situation “sinus augmentation” is performed to increase the bone strength.
Once the strong bone base is ready then the metal dental implant is screwed into your jaw bone. This stage takes a few months for healing, where osseointegration takes place. After this healing period, a temporary crown is placed.
The final stage of the procedure is, placing the crown. Crown that will look just like your natural tooth is fixed on the metal implant.
Complications or risks associated with dental implants
With every surgery, there is a possible risk. The success rate of dental implants is quite high, still, failure may occur if you have any underlying medical condition. Any bleeding disorders, allergies or other existing medical condition need prior review before the procedure. Careful planning with a qualified surgeon can help you avoid any of the complications.
Follow up care
Maintaining good oral hygiene, by regular brushing flossing is advised. If not maintained, it might lead to inflammation of the gum around the implant. To avoid any such risks, visit your dentist every six months.
Conclusion
Dental implants bring you natural ability to eat and speak, also it brings back your smile. If your dentist considers you for dental implant then you should go for it. Although it is inconvenient and takes a few months, it lasts for a lifetime.
Author: Dr. Rashmi
Rashmi is a medical writer, proficient in writing medical health related articles. She aims to spread awareness about illness and health. View her LinkedIn profile at; https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashmi-byakodi-449056a0/
