Four Facts About Dental Implants You Need to Know
When you have missing teeth, finding a permanent solution to close gaps can be a great relief. Luckily, with dental implants in Houston, you can replace your lost teeth and improve your smile. Although some people may be skeptical about implants, these metal posts offer great benefits if done correctly. In this post, we highlight four facts about dental implants you should know before getting them.
- Dental Implants Are as Strong as Your Natural Teeth
Teeth implants are made of metal, titanium, screws surgically fixed on the jaw bone to anchor the artificial teeth. These posts are durable and are biocompatible, meaning they are gentle on the gums and rarely cause any discomfort. Dental implants are made of three parts; the metal screw, abutment, and crown.
When properly fixed, these implants act and function similarly to your natural teeth.
- You Must Be Eligible
Although implants are ideal for most people, not everyone can use them. It is crucial to meet the eligibility criteria for the dentist to recommend these metal posts.
- Be healthy. People with chronic conditions like diabetes are not eligible for implants.
- You don’t smoke. Tobacco is known to slow healing, and therefore, the dentist may recommend other restorative treatments other than implants.
- Your jaw should have attained full maturity. Teeth implants can only be fixed on a strong jaw. That is why they are not recommended for people below 17 years.
- You must have healthy teeth and gum, devoid of decay, and infection.
- You need sufficient bone density for the implants to be fixed.
Our dentist in Houston TX will do a comprehensive assessment to determine if implants are a good solution.
- Fixing the Implants is Process
Dental implant surgery is done in phases that require several dental appointments spread over several months.
- Preparation and planning
Before the implant surgery is done, a comprehensive assessment of your dental health, medical and drug history is needed. The dentist and an oral surgeon will assess your dental condition and determine the correct course of treatment. An x-ray and other diagnostic tests are done to examine your jaw and bone density.
It is crucial to have sufficient bone density for the implants to be firmly anchored. Failure to meet the required percentage, the dentist may recommend a bone graft or other restorative treatment.
A bone graft is a procedure done using bone granules from your body or a cadaver. The purpose of the procedure is to stimulate new bone growth. If the bone graft is done it can lengthen the treatment time by 12 months.
- Phase one: Fixing the teeth implants
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, although at times dental sedation may be used. The dentist will open the gums to expose the bone and drill it to fix the screws. A temporary denture may be used to cover the area and protect it.
As the anesthesia begins to wear, you may feel pressure and discomfort. Also, you can experience swelling, bruising on the gums, and bleeding. The dentist will prescribe suitable medication to ease the pain and prevent infection.
- Phase two: Osseointegration
The bone and implant must fuse. If the two do not, then the body may reject the implant. The osseointegration process can take up several months, at times up to 12 months, depending on where the implant was fixed.
- Phase three: Placing of the abutment
The abutment connects the implant and artificial teeth. The dentist will reopen the gums to fix the connector. After the gums have healed, your dental impression is taken to make crowns.
- Phase four: Fixing the crown
Finally, the dentist will fix the artificial teeth. The dental crowns can either be removable (ideal for people with multiple missing teeth) or fixed.
The fixed crowns can be cemented or screwed in place.
- Teeth Implants Still Require Care
Dental implants are resistant to decay, but you still need to care for them. Maintain proper dental hygiene and make sure you visit the dentist for a routine checkup.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit InStyle Dental Group for an assessment and a discussion on the benefits of dental implants.
