Dental implants offer a permanent solution for tooth loss. When the dental implant procedure is well planned and carried out by an experienced dental professional, using a high-quality prosthesis, the clinical success rate averages between 95 to 98%. To start the process, you’ll need to get a consultation at your local dental clinic, to see if you are a candidate. To help you prepare, we’ve put this guide of ‘what to know before getting dental implants’.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant functions as an artificial tooth root. It’s a titanium post or screw that is surgically embedded into your jaw. Over a few months, the dental implant will integrate with your jaw bone, which is what makes it strong and permanent. Once osseointegration occurs, your dentist will place a dental crown, and you will be able to exert the same amount of bite force as with your natural teeth.
What To Know Before Getting Dental Implants?
The Dental Implant Procedure Is Performed In Stages
Getting dental implants takes time. The procedure is usually completed in two or three stages because your gums and soft tissue need to heal. When you visit a dentist that offers consultation, he or she will give you a treatment plan that outlines how long your treatment will take to complete.
You Need A Strong, Healthy Jaw To Support A Dental Implant
Dental implants must be supported by a good amount of jawbone. In patients who have been missing teeth for some time, bone loss is likely to have occurred. Without tooth roots in place, the jaw loses density, which can make it thinner.
If you do not have enough healthy jaw available, your dentist may recommend bone grafting to stimulate its growth. If you are having a bone graft, you can expect to add a few more months to your treatment timeline.
Dental Implants Last A Long Time
Dental implants are the longest-lasting tooth loss solution currently available. They can last for decades with good care, and for some people, this could be for the rest of their lifetime. By comparison, a denture needs to be replaced every five to ten years. It may loosen and become uncomfortable in the interim period, causing irritation and requiring a reline.
Most of the dental implants used today are made from titanium, which doesn’t wear down. You may need to have the dental crown replaced, depending on the material that is used, but the titanium screw will stay intact and fully functional.
Dental Implants Will Improve Your Oral Health
Replacing missing teeth is vital for your oral health. Decayed teeth attract bacteria, which can lead to gum disease. When you have gaps in your smile, the adjacent teeth will shift in order to occupy the empty spaces. This makes them loosen, and they can fall out.
Dental Implants Look And Feel Natural
Getting a dental implant is the closest match you can get to a natural tooth. Even if you have one placed in the front of your mouth, no one else will know. If your dental implant is placed at the back of your mouth, you will be able to bite and chew with the same degree of force, and you won’t have to restrict your diet.
A Dental Implant Doesn’t Require Special Care
You care for a dental implant in exactly the same way as the rest of your teeth: daily flossing and twice-daily brushing. It’s still critical to visit your dentist every six months for check-ups, but you don’t need any special cleaning agents.
Make Sure You Choose An Experienced Professional
These are some of the reasons that it’s essential to work with a reputable and skilled dental professional. It’s never a bad idea to ask for a second opinion, and there’s nothing tying you to the first professional who assesses you. Make sure you ask to see before and after photos of previous work done. Ask the dentist what his or her success rate with implants is before you commit to treatment.
A Dental Implant Is A Sensible Investment
Your dental implant offers a sensible return on your investment, which will be both time and money. It can restore your quality of life, bringing your confidence back in your smile as well as comfort when eating. Adverse effects are rarely reported, and for the vast majority of patients, a tooth implant is a good investment in your future dental health.
Still have unanswered questions about ‘what to know before getting dental implants’? We’d love to help you out. Please contact us to speak to a professional or for a dental consultation near you: (03) 9626 9581.
References
Dental implant surgery
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about-us/pac-20384622
Everything to Know About a Dental Implant Procedure
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/dental-implant-procedure
