Dental implants are small titanium screws that are placed into the jawbone, where they will act as artificial tooth roots to replace one or more missing teeth. They contain threads on both the inside and outside. The outer threads help the implant fuse with bone, while the inner thread supports a small connector piece, called an abutment. The abutment is then screwed into the implant and used to support a dental prosthetic such as a crown, bridge, or denture. After the implant has healed and fused with the surrounding bone, it becomes very strong and is able to restore natural chewing and speaking functions.
Did You Know?
Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement options. This is because they are able to restore natural chewing function, while also providing the stimulation necessary to retain bone mass. Unfortunately, other tooth replacement options cannot improve your smile in the same way dental implants can.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth and do not have an active gum infection. Additionally, ideal candidates for dental implants have an adequate amount of bone mass, which allows the implant to be placed. In some cases, patients with low bone mass can still be considered, however they will need to undergo a bone graft. To determine if dental implants are right for you, schedule a consultation with Maxtown Family Dental today!
Can I still have dental implants placed if I have bone loss in my jaw?
Bone loss can occur if you’ve had a missing tooth for longer than six months meaning that you may not have enough bone mass to safely support an implant. In these cases, your dentist may recommend having a bone graft either before or during your implant procedure. Bone grafting places bone material into areas where bone loss has in order to grow new bone and build up the bone mass. While bone grafts can be successfully used in some cases, there are other cases where alternative tooth replacement options may be recommended.
What can I expect when having dental implants placed at Maxtown Family Dental?
Having dental implants placed at Maxtown Family Dental is a multi-step process. First any tenth that are severely damaged or decayed will need to be extracted. In some cases, the implants are placed during the same procedure, while in other cases the extraction sites need to heal before placing dental implants.
To place dental implants, your dentist will first anesthetize your mouth and provide you with varying dental sedation options. Once you are relaxed and numb, they will begin the procedure by making a tiny incision on the gums to uncover the jawbone. The empty tooth socket will be properly shaped and the implant will be screwed in place. Next the abutment piece is screwed into the center of the implant so that the top of the abutment sticks out above the gum line. The gums will then be sutured around the abutment. In some cases, a dental prosthetic may be immediately loaded onto the abutment, while in other cases the prosthetic will be placed after the implant has healed.
What can I expect after having dental implants placed?
After having dental implants placed, you can expect your mouth to remain numb until the anesthetic wears off. At this point you may experience some minor soreness around the implant area. This can be managed using over the counter pain medications. You can also use a cold compress for 20 minutes during the first 24 hours, then moist heat thereafter.
As your implant heals, it will need to fuse with the surrounding bone in order to be strong enough to support a dental prosthetic. This is known as osseointegration and it usually takes about 3-6 months to occur. Osseointegration is essential for implant success and without it, the implant will fail.
In order to allow your implants to properly heal, you will be placed on a temporary soft foods diet. This is to avoid placing too much pressure on the implant before it heals. Your dentist will provide you with dietary guidelines to follow during your recovery. Once your implants have healed, you can return to your normal diet.
