Dental implants are an excellent solution to missing teeth, and those which work better than the traditional dentures and bridges. Even though they haven’t been around very long, dental implants have proven to very successful, with a success rate of nearly 95-98%.
Dental implants are the perfect choice for anyone who has lost their teeth in an accident and wants a natural looking replacement. They also work well for teeth lost due to gum infection or tooth decay. Dental implants can also be used in case a tooth has never emerged and you want to fill in the unseemly gap. Apart from this, dental implants are ideal for single tooth as well as multiple teeth replacement.
So how do you know whether dental implants are right for you? What are the factors that should be kept in mind when opting to get dental implants?
Dental implants are right for those who are in good oral health. In case of any periodontal disease, dental implants don’t function very well. Also, your bone density has to be good enough to hold the dental implants or else there will be need for bone grafting, a lengthy surgical procedure. If you are suitable for dental implants, there are a host of benefits for you, the most important of these being that dental implants are a permanent solution, as well as being natural looking and very stable. On the other hand, dental implants tend be on the more expensive side as well as taking at least 6 months (if not more) to be fully installed.
When electing to get implants, the first step is getting a thorough consultation with your orthodontist/periodontist/oral surgeon. This will tell you how fit you are for dental implants and whether you need bone grafting to strengthen your jaw. In case of a decayed/infected tooth, extraction will be done. The next step is to prepare the site of implantation. The gum tissue is cut to reveal the bone area. If healthy, the bone is then drilled with a special drill to receive the implant. Once the bone has been drilled, the titanium implant is placed inside it and the surrounding tissue is sutured, holding it in place.
This is the most important stage of installing a dental implant, and takes nearly 3- 6 months to heal. This is essential so that the titanium implant gets completely fused with the bone and becomes part of the lower jaw, just like a natural tooth root. The stitches are removed in one or two weeks post-surgery.
Once the healing is complete, another post is attached to the implant. This is the support for the porcelain/ceramic crown, which is the new tooth. This crown is made to exactly match the natural tooth and even feels like it. Once this has been attached onto the abutment, it is difficult to indicate which is the implant and which is not.
After the crown is in place, all you need to do is take care of it exactly like your real teeth, and brush and floss regularly. Also avoid hard foods that might damage your teeth and the crown. Apart from that, enjoy your new teeth, perfect smile and a brand new life!