Injury, deep decay, failed root canal therapy, trauma to the jawbone – There are several reasons why people suffer tooth loss. If you are missing a few teeth, you may consider a bunch of restorative procedures, including dentures. While dentures are inexpensive and accessible for most patients, many dentists now recommend implants. When you visit expert dental care in Gulf Breeze, consider talking to your dentist about implants. If you have never heard about the procedure, here’s what you need to know.
An overview of implants
A dental implant is a tooth root made of titanium. It is placed inside or above the jawbone, and as the gums heal, the implant is fixed in place and works as the base for an abutment that holds the replacement tooth. The good news is you can get a complete arch of teeth on just four implants. The procedure requires oral surgery and can be performed by a periodontist or a dentist.
Are dental implants right for you?
You need to have strong gums and enough bone mass to hold the implants in place. Your dentist will do a complete oral examination to decide if you can benefit from implants. After tooth loss, there is a rapid decrease in bone mass, and therefore, if you choose to get implants after a few months, you may need bone grafting before going through the procedure.
The procedure
Your dentist will first take impressions of your teeth to determine whether there is a need for additional procedures. Next, they will numb the area and perform oral surgery to place the implants. It can take up to six months for the implants to become a part of the jaw structure, and after the healing process is complete, an abutment will be fixed on the implant. Your dentist will now order replacement teeth from a lab and set the same to the post/abutment. The whole procedure of getting replacement teeth after implant surgery may take time, and you may need to see the dentist many times during this period.
In conclusion
Dental implants are much better than implants in many ways and offer a more permanent form of fixing missing teeth. Also, you can preserve bone mass, which is otherwise a concern and may shrink your face. If you have any questions or have lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, your dentist may have to order additional tests before the treatment.
