If you are concerned about missing a few teeth because of decay, cavities, and injuries, you should ask your dentist about replacement sooner than later. For a long time, dentures were considered the cheapest and most effective option for replacing missing teeth, but not anymore. With dental implants, you can restore your smile permanently and avoid the usual denture issues, which include movement of the replacement teeth inside the mouth. Before you see your Mill Creek dentist to discuss implants, here is a simplified handbook for your help.
What is an implant?
A dental implant is like a replacement artificial tooth root, which is placed either on or over the jawbone. It works as the support for prosthetic teeth. There are three components of implants. The first one is the implant itself, also called the post, and is made of titanium. There is also an abutment, which works as a connector and barrier between the implant and the replacement tooth. The third component is the restoration, which can be in the form of a crown, bridge, or denture.
Why should you consider dental implants?
Your dentist’s first goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible. However, if there is no way to prevent decaying or damaged teeth from being extracted, implants are a great way to replace the missing teeth. Implants become a part of the mouth and are permanent. In fact, apart from your dentist, no one can tell you have them. Besides replacing lost teeth, implants prevent other teeth from shifting from their original positions. You can also prevent the decline in bone mass due to extractions. Patients with implant-supported dentures, crowns, or bridges experience greater comfort while eating, talking, and chewing. Compared to regular dentures, implant-placed dentures don’t move around, which adds to the patient’s comfort.
What’s the process of getting dental implants?
- During the first appointment, your dentist will take X-rays and 3D images to determine whether you can benefit from implants. If you have already lost significant bone mass, you may need additional procedures, such as bone grafting and sinus lifts, to create the foundation for implants. Pretreatments will be discussed in advance, and surgeries like bone grafting can take time.
- Once the jawbone is ready to receive implants, your dentist will place the posts. This requires oral surgery, for which local anesthesia is used. If you have dental anxiety, ask your dentist for sedation options. It is now possible to replace an entire arch of missing teeth with just two implants, and your dentist will discuss the placement of the posts in advance for maximum stability. It can take two to six months for the jawbone to heal and secure the implants.
- The final step is the placement of restoration. These are ordered from a lab, and you could get implant-supported dentures, which are fixed in place using abutments, crowns, or bridges, depending on the number of teeth being replaced.
Things to know about dental implants
Implants are designed to replace missing teeth permanently, and while the posts don’t need replacement, the restorations may wear off after a decade or two. The cost of implants is considerably higher than dentures, and if your insurance doesn’t pay for the costs, you can ask your dentist for other flexible payment options. In general, you don’t need to take extra care of your implants, but regular brushing and flossing are necessary to keep your gums healthy.
If you have any concerns or have health conditions for which you are taking medications, talk to your dentist in detail. Take your time to select a clinic in Mill Creek that has good reviews and specializes in dental implants.
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