For many people, missing, misshapen, or damaged teeth can be a frustration. While gaps in your smile impact the way you look and feel, they can also impact your oral health. With the evolution of dental care, there are a few options that can help you build a new smile. An increasingly popular solution to fix missing or damaged teeth is a dental implant. Instead of traditional dentures, a dental implant can be a permanent solution to replace teeth. This is the reason that more people are exploring dental implants as a solution.
With dental implants, missing teeth, extractions, or damaged teeth no longer mean that patients have to live with outdated bridges or uncomfortable dentures. No matter if the issues are the result of facial trauma, aging, decay, or gum disease, implants can help. If you are looking to repair missing or broken teeth, a visit to the Dental Implant Center can improve your oral health and enhance your smile for years to come. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
As the name implies, a dental implant is an artificial replacement for your tooth. The implant is a device that is attached to your jaw, below the gum. After the initial placement, the dentist will wait a few months to allow it to heal and fuse to your jaw bone. After the implant has bonded with the jaw, a post will be installed and the gum will be given time to heal. This post will serve as the root for the artificial tooth.
The final part of the dental implant procedures involves the dentists placing a crown on the post. The crown will match the size, shape, and color of your other teeth. You can have multiple implants placed in your mouth, however, each implant replaces a single tooth.
What are implants made from?
Since this is something that is intended to be a permanent fixture in the mouth and jaw, you must understand what it is. The standard material for the dental implant is titanium. This has proven to be a very reliable material for several decades.
While some dentists have opted to use ceramic posts, titanium remains the standard. Depending on the dentist, replacement teeth or crowns can be made of ceramic or porcelain and created to match your natural teeth. In some situations, a dentist might suggest a metal crown for the back molars.
How long does an implant placement take?
As discussed earlier, dental implant placement is a process that includes multiple steps. It’s a process that can take several months to complete. When you have decided to move forward with the procedure, the first step will be placing the implant device into your jaw. To give you time to heal, the next step will take place 3-6 months later.
This will depend on how well your gum heals and how long it takes for the implant to bond to your jaw. Your dentist or periodontitis will determine when you can proceed. Once you have healed, the dentist will install the final parts of the implant.
Are implants right for you?
If you are in good health and your jaw bone is strong enough to support an implant, you could be a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Only your dentist will be able to tell you for sure if an implant is right for you. Once you get the approval from your dentist, however, you will have to commit to maintaining excellent oral hygiene and mouth health. Since dental implants are a multi-step process, you will need to be ready for the lengthy procedure. Only you and a dental professional can determine if implants are the best solution for you.
If you are considering implants as a solution to your dental needs, do some research and make an appointment with a dental professional for a consultation and exam. Since an implant can cost as much as $4500, there will also be financial and insurance considerations. Take some time to consider your options and decide if implants are the right solution to repair your broken or missing teeth.
