Many people today struggle with some sort of tooth and gum issue from minor ones like cavities to extreme cases of tooth and gum disease. When things get so bad that teeth have to removed, or they fall out due to the damage sustained, dental implants may be the best option for treatment to help preserve the health of the remaining teeth and to add teeth where ones are missing.
If you have about dental implants and what they can do for you and your overall oral health, the best place to start getting answers is by talking to your dental care team. If you are not currently seeing a dentist on regular basis, scheduling an appointment for an evaluation should be step one.
Once you know implants are right for you, then you can begin to ask questions about how much do dental implants cost, where can you find help financing treatments, and what are the main advantages and disadvantages of dental implants? Armed with this important information, you can make the right choice about whether dental implants are right for you.
When you have a tooth removed, there is a space there that will start to degrade over time if the tooth is not replaced. While many people choose typical methods of tooth replacement that don’t cost as much, a dental implant is usually considered the best way to add teeth. Because it becomes infused with the bone, it keeps the bone strong instead of it breaking down as time goes on. A cosmetic dentist may do implants, or you may need to see an oral surgeon about dental implants.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of dental implants, and it can be helpful to know them in advance before you make up your mind about how to replace your tooth. The major downside is that is expensive to get an implant, and it takes months to go through all the stages of it. The advantages of dental implants include looking just like your natural tooth and the fact that they are permanent and durable. Some people count out getting an implant because of the cost or because they don’t want to wait a long time to get it done. Others like the fact that they will have a new tooth for life.
UPDATED 1/21/21
When you have lost a tooth, you need to visit a dental practice that can replace that tooth with an implant. Getting top teeth implants are usually the first ones that people want to get, as people see your top teeth when you smile. However, getting upper and lower dental implants are both important when a tooth has been lost. It can be difficult to chew when you have teeth missing, and it can be embarrassing when you want to smile at someone. A tooth implant stops all of that embarrassment and difficulty in chewing.
The first step the dentist will want you to do is to gain some information about how they work. Understanding dental implants can help you to take better care of them once you have them. What type of doctor does dental implants? Often it’s an oral surgeon who does the implants. You generally need a referral from a dentist who has said that you are a good candidate for implants. Then, you will meet with the surgeon for a consultation. After that, you can make your appointment to get your tooth implant. It can be a painful procedure, but the pain doesn’t last long and the tooth is forever.
It is known worldwide that Americans care about their teeth. Nearly three-quarters of us feel that a smile that is not attractive can be detrimental to our careers. At the same time, more than 30 million people in the United States have lost all of their teeth on one or both of their jaws. For people who are missing more than one tooth, there are options for multiple tooth replacement. Multiple tooth implants are one option.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are replacement teeth that are the closest thing to natural teeth. An implant is placed in the bone and replaces the root of the missing tooth. When the implant is put in, the bone loss that occurs after a tooth is lost is immediately halted. In recent recent years, the success rate for dental implants has skyrocketed to 98%.
What are multiple tooth implants?
When you are missing several teeth, you go through a similar process to a single tooth implant. For multiple tooth implants the main difference is that the piece that is attached may a bridge rather than a single crown. If appropriate, crowns will be attached.
What is the dental implant process?
Your oral surgeon will have to remove the parts of the teeth that remain in your mouth. Even if you do not have any tooth above the gum line, you still have the root. All of this needs to come out before the multiple tooth implants can be inserted in your jaw.
Your jaw has to be evaluated. Before the multiple tooth implants process can begin, x-rays will be taken to see if you have enough bone in your jaw to support the implants. When you lose teeth, the bone in your jaw starts to be reabsorbed by your body. If there is not enough bone in your jaw, you can have a bone graft to make it possible for you to have the multiple tooth implants.
Once you have been determined to have the bone needed for the multiple tooth implants, your dental implant doctor will insert the implants into your jaw. This is a surgical procedure that can be done under general or local anesthesia. It is done in your oral surgeon’s office and you will go home afterwards. Healing caps are placed over the implants.
After you have had a chance to heal from the multiple tooth implant surgery, permanent abutments are attached to the implants. You will have either custom made crowns or bridges to attach to the permanent abutments. These will be made to match the rest of your teeth and should be indistinguishable from your other teeth. That is one of the best parts of multiple tooth implants, they look and feel like your natural teeth.
How do I maintain my multiple tooth implants?
Your multiple tooth implants do not need any special care and maintenance other than practicing good oral hygiene. While these do not decay the way that your natural teeth do, it is important to brush and floss daily to prevent bacteria from thriving in your mouth. You should still keep your appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist so that you can keep your entire mouth healthy including your multiple tooth implants.
Many people in the United States are scared of going to the dentist and they do not have their cleanings and check ups as recommended. This is one of the reasons there are so many people walking around missing one or more teeth. If you are afraid of visiting the dentist, you can talk to them about that and they can help you through that. Dentists are aware of the fact that many people fear going for their regular cleanings and have ways to help you deal with that fear. There are pain free dentistry options but also by developing the relationship with a dentist can be one of the best things you can do for your dental health and to get over the fear.
The combination of practicing good oral hygiene including daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to your dentist is the best way to keep your natural teeth and keep your smile healthy and looking great.
