What Is Implant Dentistry?
One small accident can have a major impact on your smile. In fact, about 20% of people suffer from an oro-dental trauma to their teeth at some point in their lives. Without treatment, you could experience complications in the future.
In fact, you could develop facial and psychological issues or changes to your quality of life.
Implant dentistry could provide the perfect solution to your oro-dental trauma. You can restore your smile and with it, your self-confidence.
What are dental implants, exactly, and how can they benefit your dental health? Read on to find out!
After reading this implant dentistry guide, you can determine if dental implants are right for you. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about dental implants today!
What is Implant Dentistry?
First, let’s cover the basics: what is implant dentistry?
Dental implants are prosthetics custom-designed to replace a patient’s missing teeth. An oral surgeon can fix the implants directly into your jawbone. Through a process called osseointegration, the implants are fused to the jawbone to ensure they remain in place.
Patients can experience long-lasting results to maintain a stunning, improved smile.
The fusion process ensures the dental implant replaces your missing tooth’s previously-existing root. Once osseointegration is complete, an oral surgeon will place a bridge. The bridge will ensure the replacement tooth’s lasting placement.
The osseointegration process will also ensure the implant fuses to the bone for stimulation. Keeping the jawbone stimulated will help preserve your bone’s structure.
Otherwise, your jawbone might begin to degrade.
Your dentist might place a single dental implant or a bridge to replace multiple lost teeth. They might also use a bridge to secure dentures.
A single crown, on the other hand, is ideal if you’re only missing a single tooth.
Ideal Patients
In order to start better understanding implant dentistry, it helps to consider why you might require this procedure. Ideal patients are first healthy enough to successfully undergo surgery.
If your oral surgeon determines you’re an ideal candidate for the procedure, they’ll next check your gums and teeth. They’ll need to determine your gums are healthy enough for the osseointegration process.
Your dentist will need to make sure you have enough bone for the implant as well. Otherwise, they’ll likely recommend other treatment options.
Your dentist might determine you’re not an ideal candidate if you have:
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- A severe bleeding disorder
- A smoking habit
You can schedule a consultation appointment with your dentist to determine if this course of treatment is right for you. Otherwise, you can explore alternative forms of treatment.
Types of Implants
During your consultation appointment, you and your dentist can discuss different types of dental implants. There are two main types of implants you might consider: endosteal and subperiosteal implants.
Endosteal implants are placed within the bone. You’ll undergo the osseointegration process if you receive endosteal implants.
Subperiosteal implants, on the other hand, rest on top of the jawbone. Your dentist might recommend this type of implant depending on your jaw and gum health.
Subperiosteal implants aren’t recommended often, though. Endosteal implants are the more common option. Most patients experience better results with endosteal implants, too.
Otherwise, you might consider talking to your dentist about mini dental implants.
Mini dental implants are exactly as they sound; they’re smaller than the traditional type of dental implants. Dentists might recommend mini implants if teeth only need anchorage for a short period. Your dentist can remove the mini implants before providing a long-term treatment option.
The final type of implant dentistry is called all-in-four dental implants. These implants are ideal for patients that need to replace teeth connected by an arch.
You can schedule a consultation with your dentist to determine which type of implant suits your treatment needs.
The Procedure
When understanding implant dentistry, it helps to consider the entire procedure. You’ll need to schedule multiple appointments for the entire procedure.
First, you’ll schedule your implant dentistry consultation. Your dentist will examine your jaw and gums during this appointment. Then, they’ll determine if treatment can benefit your oral health needs.
If your jawbone has adequate foundation, your dentist might recommend you for this procedure.
Next, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to have the titanium implants surgically placed into your jawbone. You’ll likely need local anesthesia. Local anesthesia will ensure your comfort during the procedure.
Your dentist will extract the tooth at the dental implant site. Then, they’ll ensure the bone graft is placed.
If enough bone is present, they’ll extract the damaged tooth and place the implant within the same appointment.
You’ll require three to six months to give the implant time to heal. Once the implant is integrated with the jawbone, you can schedule the next appointment. During this appointment, your dentist will place the restoration.
The restoration might include a dental crown, implant-supported bridge, or implant-supported denture.
The Benefits
While reviewing this implant dentistry guide with your oral surgeon, consider discussing the potential benefits you’ll experience.
For starters, implants behave and look like your natural teeth. You can restore the previous functionality of your lost tooth with an implant.
They’re also biocompatible. Your body will accept the implant fully.
Your implant will also ensure your teeth remain stable. Otherwise, the surrounding teeth will begin to migrate toward the gap.
An implant can also help you avoid facial sagging. The implant will help preserve the jawbone. Otherwise, you could experience structural deterioration.
Without treatment, any gaps in your smile might cause your lower face to shrivel inward.
The success rate for this procedure is 98%. Scheduling the implant procedure can restore your smile and help you avoid complications in the future.
What is Implant Dentistry?: Your Guide to a Stunning Smile
Don’t let a gap in your smile impact your oral health. Instead, consider implant dentistry. A dental implant can fill any gaps in your smile and restore your self-confidence.
Consider scheduling a consultation appointment today.
Not sure if oral surgery is right for you? We can help.
Learn more about our practice today to get started!