Before dental implants, people with dentures, fixed bridges, or missing teeth were unable to comfortably chew many types of food. Dental implants revolutionized dentistry and the teeth replacement process by creating a natural and long-term solution. Keep reading to learn the answers to the most commonly asked dental implant questions:
1.What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a metal post surgically placed into your jawbone. Once placed, the dentist mounts the replacement teeth onto the metal post. This creates a secure fit that feels natural and provides patients a long-term option for artificial teeth.
2. How is a dental implant placed?
When a patient is going through the dental implant procedure, the dentist or surgeon’s first step is to make a slit in the gum tissue over the spot of the missing tooth. Through that slit, various sized drills will be used to prep the bone below the tissue and insert the dental implant screw. A temporary crown may be placed to make eating and drinking possible until the second portion of the surgery.
After the first part of the procedure is complete, you will need three to six months for the area to heal and for the the jawbone to form around the implant. Once that occurs, you will return to the dentist so the temporary crowns can be replaced with artificial teeth. At that point, the dental implant procedure is complete and you can show off your new smile.
3. Is getting a dental implant painful?
The dental implant procedure should not be painful. Almost all procedures are performed under local anesthesia or sedation for the patient’s comfort. Most discomfort comes from post-surgery.
After the procedure, the patient may experience slight bleeding, swelling, or pain. The following tips can help post-dental implant surgery to allow for a smooth recovery:
- Follow the instructions for pain medication given to you by your surgeon
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat soft foods and liquids
- Apply ice bags or ice wrapped in a towel on the outside cheek
- Slight bleeding in the first 24 hours after surgery is normal. Place a gauze pad to help control the bleeding.
If you experience any abnormal pain after dental implant surgery or have any questions, call your dentist for further instructions to guarantee a safe recovery.
4. What type of dental implants are there?
According to the American Dental association, there are two types of implants that are certified to be safe. The two types are endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants.
- Endosteal implants: These implants are placed directly into the jawbone. Once the gums have healed, a second surgery is needed to connect a post to an artificial tooth.
- Subperiosteal implants: These implants contain a metal frame fitted onto the jawbone. After the gums around the area have healed, posts are attached to the frame followed by artificial teeth.
5. What are the benefits of dental implants?
First and foremost, dental implants help patients feel more confident and comfortable. Following is a list of additional benefits dental implants provide:
- They feel, look, and function as if they were healthy, natural teeth.
- They can last decades as opposed to dental bridges and dentures that are replaced every five to ten years.
- They retain the patients’ natural face shapes and smiles.
- They will protect the jawbone from deterioration caused by missing teeth.
- They do not slip like dentures when eating and talking.
6. Who is a good candidate for a dental implant?
Most individuals can get dental implants except for younger children; children cannot receive implants because their mouths and teeth are still growing and changing. People who are typically recommended for dental implants have the following traits or issues:
- Aging has caused teeth loss
- They have one or more severely damaged teeth
- Teeth were removed during an injury
- They were born without one or several teeth
If you are interested in scheduling a complementary consultation for you or a family member, contact Artistic Dental at the biltmore at (602) 840-5400 or email frontoffice@artisticd.com.