Losing your teeth due to cavities, dental disease, or injury can be a traumatizing experience. However, with restorative treatments and cosmetic enhancements in dentistry, most concerns can be fixed. One of the better and more effective ways of replacing missing or lost teeth is dental implants. Before you step into a family dentistry princeton for the procedure, take a look at the basics below.
Understanding dental implants
When a tooth is extracted, the socket becomes empty, which forces the remaining teeth to move from their respective places, and there is usually a rapid reduction in bone mass. Dentures and bridges can help restore one or more missing teeth, but the socket still remains empty. A dental implant works as a replacement tooth root, placed in the jawbone (or over it) as the foundation for a replacement tooth. Implants are made of titanium and last a lifetime, and it is possible to replace an entire arch of missing teeth with just two dental implants.
Are dental implants an option for every patient?
Your dentist will do a thorough oral exam to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for dental implants. Typically, most patients with enough jawbone can withstand the surgery and benefit from the procedure. If you are a heavy smoker, have lifestyle diseases, or other conditions, talk to your dentist.
Benefits of dental implants
Firstly, dental implants are meant to last forever and don’t need additional care. Unlike dentures, replacement teeth on dental implants don’t move around, which adds to the convenience and confidence. You can also continue to eat and enjoy your favorite foods.
The procedure
After the initial examination, your dentist will use a local anesthetic agent to numb the targeted areas. They will place the dental implants inside the sockets of missing teeth. You may need many implants, depending on the number and positions of missing teeth. It can take up to twelve weeks or more for the surgery sites to heal, but implants become a part of your mouth. Following this, the dentist will take impressions of your mouth and will send details to a dental lab to order implant restorations. It can take a few months before you can get replacement teeth, which are based on abutments placed over implants.
Overall, dental implants are safe, effective, and highly durable. If you still have concerns, talk to your dentist in detail and ensure you understand the procedure.
