The benefits of dental implants
The following are benefits of choosing dental implants:
- Natural tooth functions: Dental implants restore the full chewing and biting function of the tooth.
- Highly durable: While restorations like a dental bridge may only survive around 10 years of use, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. The titanium used in making implants is biocompatible, which allows it to fuse with jawbone with minimal risk of rejection.
- Prevents bone loss: Bone loss occurs with the loss of the tooth root that keeps the jawbone stimulated, so when the tooth is missing, the jawbone around the area deteriorates with the absence of stimulation. If the tooth is not replaced with dental implants within the first year, the bone in the area loses 25% of its volume and continues to worsen over the years. Dentures can contribute to bone loss as they rub against the bone ridge and cause gradual deterioration. Since the implant replaces the tooth and its root, the bone will get the stimulation required to stay healthy and intact.
- Keeps the mouth free of gum disease: A missing tooth space can encourage the accumulation of food debris and bacteria that may cause gum disease.
- Aesthetics: Dental implants can look just like natural teeth, and most people will not be able to tell the difference when the patient smiles.
Choosing the right dentist for the implant procedure
Patients can trust the dentist to perform the procedure practically and comfortably. As with any surgical procedure, it is essential to consult a professional to ensure low risks of complications or implant failure. The right dentist will take their time to ensure that they complete every aspect of the treatment correctly in one go.
Before choosing a dentist to perform the procedure, patients can ask questions about the following:
- The options available for tooth restoration and their recommendation
- The success rate of the procedure
- Provision of temporary teeth during healing
- Sedation options
- Training and education
- Board certification and continuous learning
- The risks of the procedure
- The benefits of choosing dental implants
- Before and after pictures of past patients
- What to expect throughout the procedure regarding recovery, pain management and diet
Caring for dental implants
After completing the implant procedure, the dentist will provide instructions on how to care for the new teeth. The maintenance routine is easy. To care for implants, patients need to brush and floss thoroughly to keep their oral cavity clean. Also, biannual visits to the dentist are paramount. During these appointments, the dentist will clean the teeth and examine the oral cavity for signs of infection or disease.
These practices are important because while dental restorations cannot get infected, the surrounding healthy teeth can. If gum disease or a dental abscess occurs, the infection may spread to the jawbone. This may compromise the implants because the jawbone must be healthy for the implants to stay intact. If infection occurs, every tooth, including dental implants, will be at risk.
Some patients may be concerned about their dental implants falling out or becoming loose. Unless there is an accident or infection, the implant system will remain in place. If the tooth starts to hurt after getting dental implants, patients must book an appointment with the dentist immediately. In the case of implant infection, the dentist can use PerioLase to restore dental implants.