Dental implants are a widely used and reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. They blend in well with your natural teeth, making them a superb alternative to traditional dentures and bridges. Implants are titanium posts your oral surgeon or dentist insert into your jaw to serve as a sturdy anchor for the replacement teeth.
Despite having a high success rate of over 93% after ten years, dental implants are still fairly unfamiliar to some people. Here are interesting yet crucial facts you should know about dental implants.
The Durability of Dental Implants is Comparable to Natural Teeth
If you have recently lost teeth (or a tooth) you might not be feeling your best. Missing teeth can adversely impact your emotional, social, and physical health – most notably, they make it difficult to eat and lower your self-esteem. For a permanent option that restores both confidence and functionality, talk to your dentists about dental implants. They’re virtually the only tooth restoration solution that inches closely to your natural teeth when it comes to durability and strength.
People who have had dental implants note a capacity to chew and bite that is closely identical to what they experienced with their natural teeth. The overarching benefit is that the bone naturally grows around the implant once your oral surgeon has inserted it. The fusion between the implant and the jawbone is remarkably strong in that it practically replaces your removed tooth root.
Dental Implant Surgery is Safe for Most People
Dental implant surgery is a generally safe and uncomplicated procedure involving three major phases. Your oral surgeon or dentist will surgically insert the implant into the jawbone during the first phase. A diet comprising warm soups, cold foods, and soft items is advised to reduce discomfort and facilitate healing.
During the second phase, osseointegration occurs as the bone around the implant begins to heal. This process involves the bone fusing around the implant, which helps to set it in place. Osseointegration can take several months, during which time some patients may need to wait before replacement teeth can be attached to the implant. However, other patients can have both the implant and replacement teeth fitted during a single visit.
The third and final phase is when the fake tooth or teeth are installed. If you’re replacing just a tooth, your oral surgeon will use an impression of your other teeth to tailor-make a dental crown. If you’re getting implants to replace multiple teeth, your dentist will use impressions to tailor custom dentures or bridgeworks to fit your implants and mouth.
As is apparent from the three phases, most people can undergo dental implant surgery without any complications. It’s a routine outpatient procedure that thousands of dentists and oral surgeons perform each day. Boasting an incredibly high success rate of 95-98%, anyone with a decent jawbone density and in good health to support recovery is an excellent candidate for dental implant surgery.
Despite the impressive success rate, it’d be best to talk to your dentist to see if you’re eligible for a dental implant process. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends growing kids avoid the procedure until their jaw development and growth is complete. Likewise, your dentist or oral surgeon may not recommend implant surgery if you have a chronic disease like leukemia or diabetes. That’s because these conditions can make it difficult to heal after the procedure.
The Realistic Look and Feel of Dental Implants
At the core, dental implants are designed to serve as new roots for missing teeth. They’re implanted directly into the jaw, where the bone and implant will fuse over time. Again, this feature (medically known as osseointegration) gives dental implants incredible durability and stability.
Beyond that, dental implants integrate and blend permanently into your mouth. Unlike dentures, they don’t slip when you’re eating, laughing, or talking. They fuse-set in place and are virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth. Thanks to the natural feel, look, and function of dental implants, you will be able to smile with confidence and eat chewy or tough food – only dentists will really know that you have had implant surgery.
Dental Implants Help Maintain a Youthful Appearance
Having missing teeth or a tooth can have more than just a cosmetic impact on your look. Your jawbone will start to recede over time due to lack of stimulation from the tooth root. The outcome is not a pretty sight – the bone loss will cause your face to appear aged and sunken.
The good news is that dental implants can help replace the missing tooth root and preserve natural and beautiful facial contours. As such, dental implants don’t just provide a natural-looking and stable replacement for missing teeth; they also fuse with the jawbone to boost healthy bone growth and prevent further facial sagging. They preserve your smile and maintain your youthful appearance.
Taking Care of Dental Implants is Easy
Unlike natural teeth, dental implants are not susceptible to decay and cavities. That’s because they are crafted from aviation-grade titanium and other decay-proof materials. These materials are not impacted by oral elements in a similar way to natural teeth, so they cannot develop cavities. That’s not to say dental implants are 100% problem-free.
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, gum problems and periodontal disease can still affect the longevity of your dental implants. Once the bone has grown completely around the implant, you should resume a thorough oral routine that includes regular flossing and brushing. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings can also make your dental implants last longer and serve you better.
Dental Implants Offer Several Health Benefits
As humans, we’re blessed with two sets of teeth in our lifetime – the baby teeth and the permanent adult set. Dental implants can serve as the third set of permanent teeth when you lose some teeth due to gum disease, dental decay, or injury. They can last a lifetime, improving your confidence and appearance and your ability to talk, eat, and indulge in an active lifestyle without worrying about missing teeth.
However, the benefits of dental implants go beyond the cosmetic realm. Restoring your ability to chew and bite any food can give you more freedom to enjoy a healthy diet. That can make a tremendous difference to your health and well-being.
In a 2018 study published in the journal Dentistry Today, investigators discovered that middle-aged adults missing more than a couple of teeth ran an elevated risk of heart disease. Other studies have also shown that missing teeth can increase your risk of developing diabetes and osteoporosis by age 65 – implants can greatly reduce this risk.
What Do Spaceships and Dental Implants Have in Common?
Space rockets that Elon Musk fires into space and dental implants have one thing in common. They are both crafted from aviation-grade titanium! The versatile material has been integrated into a wide range of medical appliances and equipment for decades. It’s biocompatible – that means it can fuse with your gum tissue, jawbone, and other parts of your body without any complications.
The best part is that your dental implants are as durable and sturdy as the spaceships that head to the Moon and beyond. They’re incredibly corrosion-resistant and super-strong, yet delightfully lightweight. Titanium is not likely to trigger an allergic reaction in your body.
You’re Joining More than 3 Million Americans with Dental Implants
If you’re looking to get dental implants, you will be glad to know that you aren’t alone. Roughly 3 million Americans have chosen this dental restoration option. What’s more, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) anticipates that this figure will tick up by over 500,000 each year.
More Americans than ever opt for dental implants over bridges, crowns, and traditional dentures, and with good reason. They’re more pleasing to the eye, feel natural, and are built to last, providing a lifetime solution to missing teeth. Additionally, dental implants make it easy to maintain oral hygiene and protect against loss of bone density in your jaw.
Getting Implants is less than Removing a Tooth
Most people think that a dental implant surgery involves a great deal of pain and discomfort. However, that couldn’t be further from the reality. The procedure is less painful than getting your tooth pulled out. That’s because the latter procedure affects an extensive gum surface area.
An experienced dentist or oral surgeon uses a precise technique to implant the prosthesis. The affected site is minimal and so is the resulting pain, if any. Besides, the surgeon will use IV sedation or local anesthesia (lidocaine or novocaine). Either will help keep the procedure more comfortable and less painful. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry recommends over-the-counter medications like Advil for pain.
At Hospital Excel, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with safe and effective dental implant surgeries. Our highly knowledgeable, experienced, and well-trained oral surgeons and dentists make sure each procedure is performed to the most rigorous industry standards. Our patients report little to no pain during the surgery and are able to return to their precious day-to-day life within a few days.
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