Teeth Replacement Options: Dental Implants.
Recent times have seen a new wave of cosmetic dental surgery and one of that is that of the advent of dental implants.
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for permanent or removable replacement teeth made to look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.
Types Of Dental Implants.
The best dental implants can be either partial or full mouth dental replacements, which could be made up of Endosteal, subperiosteal or zygomatic materials. Dental implants could also be for short-term or long-term purposes, as seen in permanent dentures.
Why Do I Need A Dental Implant?
You’d benefit immensely from a dental implant if:
- You have one or more teeth knocked out and missing and giving your mouth a disfigured look
- You are not able to wear temporary dentures
- You want to improve your speech for work, academic or purely cosmetic reasons
- You don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing, as this is important for the process to complete and succeed.
How Does A Dental Implant Work?
Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, serving as the roots of missing teeth. The titanium in the implants is fused with the jawbone, and so the implants won’t slip, make noise, or cause bone damage the way fixed bridgework or dentures might. Also, the materials can’t and won’t decay like natural teeth wherein supportive regular bridgework can.
Should in case your dentist recommends a dental implant, the first step in the dental implant process is the development of an individualized treatment plan. This plan addresses your specific needs and is prepared by a team of professionals who are specially trained and experienced in oral surgery and restorative dentistry.
Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small post made of titanium, is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, it grows around the implanted metal post, anchoring it securely in the jaw. The healing process can take from six to 12 weeks. Once the implant has bonded to the jawbone, a small connector post — called an abutment — is attached to the post to securely hold the new tooth. To make the new tooth or teeth, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth and creates a model of your bite (which captures all of your teeth, their type, and arrangement). The new tooth or teeth is based on this model. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the abutment.
Most often, your dentist also will match the color of the new teeth to your natural teeth and because the implant is secured within the jawbone, the replacement teeth look, feel, and function just like your own natural teeth.
Dental Implants Cost.
It is important to take care of your implants after the procedure because, while dental implant surgery might be affordable, it would be best to do it just once and for all, as the average cost of the best dental implants cost is $3000 to $5000, which includes the cost for the post, abutment and crown placement.
Caring For Your Dental Implants.
Recovering after surgery should take a day or two. You may feel some swelling and discomfort for the first 24 hours but these are purely normal. You can bite on the sponges placed in your mouth to control bleeding for at least one hour and up to three hours. Within this period too, don’t rinse your mouth. Instead after meals, gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water.
For long-term care, brushing, flossing, rinsing and a schedule of regular dentist visits are essential to maintain the implants’ appearance and reduce the chances of failure. You can use the toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss used for natural teeth to clean your dental implants.
Be at rest and sit with your head elevated and avoid moving excessively for eight to 12 hours and eat and drink only soft foods and liquids for the first 48 hours after surgery. Take all prescribed medicines as your dentist has directed.