Dental Implants: Types, Treatment, and Recovery Guide
Dental implants are titanium posts helpful to support the restoration of missing tooth or teeth, helping to prevent jawbone resorption. After surgically implanting the titanium post into your jawbone, dental implants function as an artificial tooth root. Although categorized as an artificial replacement in dentistry, the implant placement procedure is also considered a technique in cosmetic dentistry.
If you have lost teeth, you may be self-conscious to smile and talk. In addition, you encounter challenges with biting, and tooth loss can adversely affect your eating habits, resulting in secondary health problems like malnutrition. The issues you confront will undoubtedly take you to the dentist near you, looking for a solution to replace your missing teeth.
The dentist providing dental implants near you suggests replacing the missing tooth roots using dental implants gives you the strength and stability needed to eat the foods you love besides stimulating and maintaining your jawbone by preventing jawbone resorption.
Tooth loss is a standard occurrence among adults in the US. Whether you lost your tooth due to tooth decay, gum disease, congenital defects, excessive wear, and tear or root canal failure, it becomes necessary for you to seek tooth replacement solutions remaining with you for a lifetime if you qualify for the treatment.
Procedure for Getting Dental Implants
You must schedule an appointment with dental implants in Houston, TX, if you intend to replace your missing teeth with a solution considered the gold standard among missing tooth replacement solutions. During the meeting, the dental specialist from the office will comprehensively analyze your teeth and gums and assess jawbone density. The examination involves x-rays, and CT scans to ensure you have sufficient jawbone structure for implant placement and determine the implant’s precise areas.
After considering your oral tissue, oral hygiene, and personal habits, besides your commitment to follow after-care instructions, the periodontist advises you on a treatment plan appropriate for your needs. For example, if you have insufficient jawbone or need soft tissue grafts, the dentist might consider using smaller diameter dental implants.
Depending on your situation, the dentist advises you how much time the treatment process requires, how many appointments are necessary, and your expectations after each procedure. You also receive anesthesia options during the consultation when you are offered local anesthesia or sedation if necessary. The dentist near me will also discuss the estimated costs of the procedure with you before proceeding with implant placements.
Types of Dental Implants You Can Have
You are offered single-stage or two-stage dental implants. Single-stage dental implants are also known as subperiosteal implants placed on the jawbone within the gum tissue. The metal implant post remains exposed to hold the restoration. However, subperiosteal implants are rarely used in current times.
Two-stage implants are known as endosteal implants and are embedded in the jawbone. Endosteal implants include threaded types, cylinder types, or bladed types. Several months after healing of the implant placement, you need a second minor surgery for abutment attachment and a temporary restoration.
The Implant Placement Procedure
Present-day implant restorations are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. The implant’s appearance is helped by the structural and functional connection between the titanium post and the living bone. The dentist completes the implant placement procedure in a single sitting but requires a lengthy period of osseointegration, a process when the titanium post integrates with your jawbone. The integration requires between six weeks and six months, after which your dentist completes the procedure by placing a dental crown over the implant. The implant restoration can fail if osseointegration doesn’t occur.
After adolescence, dental implant restorations performed to replace missing teeth are suitable for everyone when bone growth has been completed. However, some medical conditions like active diabetes, periodontal disease, or cancer may require additional treatment before the procedure for dental implants can proceed.
Recovery From Dental Implants and After-Care
Dental implant recovery depends on many factors, including the various procedures required to complete your treatment. However, after implant placement maintaining excellent oral habits like brushing twice a day, flossing at least once, quitting smoking, and visiting your dentist 77007 for regular cleanings and exams are sufficient. In addition, you must ensure you don’t allow plaque buildup to accumulate around the implanted tooth. Plaque is the leading cause of gum disease-causing infections around the implant and surrounding areas if not cleaned correctly. Gum disease also leads to implant failure.
If cared for correctly, dental implants last with you for a lifetime, although you undergo a lengthy procedure for having them replace your missing teeth. However, the trouble is worth it because you receive natural-looking artificial teeth in your mouth all over again.