Did you know that over 156+ Americans have one missing tooth?
Dental implants are effective teeth replacement options for individuals with one or more missing teeth. When opting for these oral appliances, many individuals consider it as a permanent option.
In this blog, we take a closer look at:
- What Are Dental Implants?
- 4 Things To Know About Dental Implants
- Are Dental Implants Permanent?
- Takeaway Tips To Help Dental Implants Last Longer
Let’s learn more about these oral appliances in the following sections.
Introduction:
Dental implants have long been the go-to tooth transplant option for individuals with one or more missing teeth.
These appliances help restore oral health, add to your smile, and improve self-confidence. Interestingly, however, that’s not all!
When it comes to it several aspects of dental implants make them a permanent option. The following sections explore more about these aspects. Let’s check them out.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are oral appliances designed to replace your natural tooth. These appliances are designed in a manner that they fit, function, and feel like a permanent tooth.
An implant is generally divided into three different parts, namely:
- Post: The part of your implant is screwed to the jawbone and acts like an artificial tooth root.
- Abutment: A screw-like structure that connects the post to the crown.
- Crown: A teeth cap which is placed on top of the abutment to give you the feeling of a natural tooth. This part of the appliance is visible over the gum line.
Ideally, replacing teeth with implants is like removing your natural tooth for a prosthetic alternative that feels real.
Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants?
Despite implants being the best option, you can’t just opt for them. Different factors make you an ideal candidate for implants.
Let’s have a look at these aspects:
- Age: Dentists often advise dental implants for those who have completed the face growth and development period. Females are roughly 16 years old, while males are around 18 years old.
- Health: Health is essential in deciding how your body will react to dental implants. Heavy smoking, chronic disorders (diabetes, for example), or radiation therapy around your head or neck area will require you to consult your periodontist.
- Jawbone amount: Dental implantation teeth require individuals to have a particular bone density to support the implant. However, you might have to opt for a bone grafting procedure if you don’t have enough bone density for implants.
While there’s no DIY to know these factors, we suggest you visit your dentist to see whether you’re a suitable dental implant candidate.
4 Things To Know About Dental Implants
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Dental Implants Look & Function Like Natural Teeth
Natural teeth are stable because their roots are embedded in the jawbones. It allows them to convert the force of their jaws into biting and chewing power to grind down food. Dental implants function in the same way.
Dental implants have titanium roots placed in the jawbones to make them permanent tooth implants. Titanium bonds with the jawbone over time, providing a stable foundation for your replacement teeth for dental crowns, dentures, or bridges.
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No, The Procedure Isn’t Painful
Professional dentists carry out dental implant procedures with extreme caution and accuracy. The procedure involves anesthesia that numbs your oral cavity so the dentist can work effortlessly.
Once your dentist administers local anesthesia, your cavity goes numb, and you won’t feel any pain at the implant site. This way, implants become a pain-free experience with your dentist using surgical guides to place your dental implants with pinpoint accuracy.
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Expect To Invest About A Year In Healing, Placement, Complications
The dental teeth replacement process comprises a lot of planning, consultations, and exams. Once your dentist ensures that you’re a suitable candidate, they will ask you to choose a date to proceed with implant placement.
Interestingly, however, that’s not all. Once the implant procedure is complete, you’ll need to continue to visit your expert for a few months while wearing temporary teeth until you receive your permanent replacement teeth. The complete process of dental implants can take anywhere between a year or more, based on your oral condition and complications.
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Just Like Natural Teeth, You’ll Have To Protect Them From Gum Disease
While dental implants are resistant to gum disease, they are not bacteria-proof. Like natural teeth, failing to care for your replacement teeth might promote the growth of oral complications, ultimately impacting the operation.
Are Dental Implants Permanent?
Dental implants are designed to be your permanent replacement teeth option. These appliances are designed to last for a lifetime!
This is because they fuse directly with your jawbone, becoming connected with surrounding bone tissue through a process known as osseointegration. Once the osseointegration process is complete, the implant material and surrounding bone have bonded.
As a result, the implant functions as an artificial root, establishing a strong base for a prosthetic tooth. Dental permanent implants can last as long as 15-20 years when cared for. You might also get more out of these appliances if you care for them.
Besides, users opting for implants need to understand that while the implant posts are permanent, you might need to replace the crown regularly due to wear and tear.
Tips To Help Dental Implants Last Longer
You could ensure a longer lifespan of your all-new teeth in several ways. Let’s have a quick overview of these DIY tips to add to the life of your implants:
- Maintain regular dental cleanings and examinations by flossing and brushing your teeth thoroughly.
- Avoid biting your nails or hard confectionery and opening things with your teeth.
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Wear a mouthguard if you participate in contact sports that put your mouth in danger of harm.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and refrain from using tobacco.
Remember, your implants are only an artificial replacement. The better you care for your appliances, the more you can get out of them. All the best!
Takeaway
- Over 156+ Americans have one missing tooth.
- Despite implants being the best tooth replacement option, you can’t just opt for them.
- Ideally, replacing teeth for permanent implants is like removing your natural tooth for a prosthetic alternative that feels real.
