WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
WHAT
ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants are easily the most popular and
also the ideal solution, for replacing your missing tooth/teeth. They have
definitely changed the course of dentistry in the last quarter of a century or
so.
A dental implant is basically a titanium post which
is surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath the gum line to work as a tooth
root. Post insertion, an implantologist will attach a crown on top of the
implant to ensure the appearance of a natural tooth.
Tooth Implants not only look and feel like your natural teeth but also
function like.
BEFORE & AFTER
PICTURE GALLERY
SINGLE TOOTH REPLACEMENTX-RAY VIEW
BEFORE
SINGLE TOOTH REPLACEMENTCLINICAL VIEW
FULL MOUTH IMPLANTS
BEFORE
MULTIPLE TEETH REPLACEMENTSTEP-1
BEFORE
MULTIPLE TEETH REPLACEMENTSTEP-2
BEFORE
WHY DENTAL
IMPLANTS?
One can face the
problem of missing teeth at any point in life. Tooth loss can be due to trauma,
accident, severe gum
disease, tooth decay or even due to poor oral hygiene. If
left untreated missing teeth can lead to various consequences such as:
· Speech problems resulting from the gap created by one or more missing
teeth
· Difficulty in chewing
· Face may start look older and wrinkled with sunken cheeks as missing
teeth can cause sagging of muscles which can’t support lips & cheeks
· Pain in the facial muscles of the jaw resulting in an improper bite
induced by the missing teeth
· Tooth decay and gum disease, over time, due to plaque accumulation &
food entrapment in the gap caused by the missing teeth
· Improper bite resulting from a tilt of adjacent teeth into the empty
spaces caused by a missing
tooth
· Untreated missing teeth may dent the facial appearance causing low
set-esteem or lack of confidence
· Hiding smile during conversations or at public gatherings to avoid the
embarrassment caused by a bad smile from missing teeth
Dental Implants help to overcome all the
above-mentioned problems. They are no doubt the best, and most popular solution
for the replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants are fit for every individual
having missing teeth irrespective of their age and gender. To know if
anyone can get dental implants.
With a 98% success rate, implants assure dental patients about their teeth and
gum’s wellbeing.
Dental Implants are essentially a ‘titanium screw’ which is fused with the Jaw
Bone.
Difference Between Dental Implants & Bridges
|
Bridges
|
Implants
|
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May compromise the adjacent natural tooth
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Does not compromise with an adjacent tooth
|
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A bridge may need replacement at times where bone
loss continues at the site of the missing tooth
|
An implant causes no bone loss as it gets
attached with the bone and promotes healthy bone
|
|
With bridges, your teeth may be prone to plaque,
decay or gum disease, with a risk of possible future root canal
|
With no free spaces in between, implants won’t
attract bacteria ever for plaque accumulation
|
ADVANTAGES
OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
· Dental Implants help restore the lost tooth and become the next
best thing to your natural teeth
· Implants are a durable solution with the potential to even outlive the
patient
· Dental Implants help maintain the shape and contour of face & smile
which can go wrong due to missing teeth making the facial muscles sag
· Implants don’t harm the adjacent tooth structure in any manner and
protect healthy bone
· Implants ensure superior appearance and comfort with no speech issue to
deal
· Implants boost your self-esteem for being a perfect solution to the
missing tooth
· Implants give the freedom to enjoy your favourite foods without any
worry
DENTAL
IMPLANT PROCEDURE
Placing a dental
implant has various stages. They are listed as below:
Placing The Implant
Thanks to the modern dentistry techniques, it’s possible to make the
implant placement procedure comfortable and pain-free. Concerned patients can
also ask the dentist for sedation to feel relaxed while a dental implant is
placed.
The procedure starts with the jawbone preparation, and the surgeon then
makes a cut to expose the bone for drilling holes. The holes are kept deep
enough for the implant to be placed properly and placed deep into the bone,
like the root.
The doctor may require bone grafting in cases where the bone is weak or
lacks the strength to support implant surgery. The surgeon then waits for the
jawbone to heal and after that, places the metal post in it.
The entire process, from start to finish, may take many months where
most of the time is spent on healing and waiting for the growth of new bone in
the jaw.
After this, a temporary crown is given to the patient which is placed to
fill the gap, and also for achieving the aesthetic goal. This crown can be
taken off for implant procedure, one has to wait until the bone is healed
properly
Healing
During this process, the jawbone will grow and unite with the surface of
the dental implant. This process is also referred to as osseointegration as it
helps to offer a durable base for the new artificial tooth, much like roots do
for the natural teeth.
In general, this process takes between 3 to 6 months depending on the
bone health & structure. However, the whole procedure can get completed in
one day itself when patients have good bone structure.
After that, you can schedule the second surgery but only once the
implants are fused with the bone. Your dentists will take an x-ray to confirm
whether the implant is fit for the second surgery.
The second surgery will be simpler than the first where a new incision
is made to expose the heads of the implants.
Abutment Placement
You may need another surgery to place the abutment (the piece where the
crown will attach) but only after healing is complete. This procedure is
relatively simple typically done with anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
During the procedure, the dentist will re-open the wound to attach the
abutment to dental implant. A temporary crown will be given for 4 to 6 weeks to
let the gums around the abutment heal. Such a crown is softer which can cushion
the implant and may stress the soft tissues that can help in healing.
For precaution purpose, you may need to eat only soft foods after each
stage of surgery so to let the surgical site heal properly.
Placement Of Permanent Crown
In the next stage, the dentist will focus on making the permanent crown
look exactly like your natural teeth. All the elements like the surface
texture, color and anatomy will be tuned up to blend with the surrounding
dentition.
If you are not happy with the crown for any reason, consult your dentist
so that it can be sent back to the dental technician for necessary changes.
Impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth are taken to make the
crown so that a realistic-looking artificial tooth can be made. The crown,
however, will not be placed until the jawbone is strong enough to support the new
tooth.
It takes less than 2 to 3 weeks to make a permanent crown which will
then be cemented or screwed to the Implant.
After permanent crown placement, your doctor will explain post-implant
care instruction.
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS
· Follow these post-operative instructions after
Dental Implant procedure, and never hesitate in consulting the doctor for any
question or problem:
· Avoid touching, spitting or rinsing the wound on
the day of surgery. Don’t touch the metal healing abutment jutting through the
gum tissue.
· After implant surgery, it’s normal to have some
bleeding or redness in the mouth for 24 hours. To control excessive bleeding,
bite on a gauze pad (placed on the bleeding wound) for 30 minutes. If bleeding
does not stop, seek further instructions from your dentist.
· Swelling is natural after surgery. To minimize it,
apply an ice pack on the cheek in the surgical area (you can also use a plastic
bag or an ice-filled towel). Apply the ice as much as you could for the first
36 hours.
· Drink lots of fluids but avoid consuming hot
beverages. Stick to soft diet on the day of surgery. You can get back to the
normal diet once the surgical area is healed. Don’t drink anything using a
straw.
· Start taking pain medication as soon as you feel
the effects of the local anesthetic are going down. However, take the medicines
prescribed by the dentist.
· Healing is not possible without good oral hygiene.
Use the prescribed oral rinse while the day after surgery, use the prescribed
oral rinse twice – after breakfast and before bed. Rinse for at least 30
seconds and then spit it out. Use warm salt rinses at least 4-5 times a day as
well. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical area to not affect the
healing.
· Do not use, or consume, tobacco products in any
form or any type after implants. It not only hinders healing but may also
increase the chances of implant failure.
· Don’t engage in exercise immediately after the
surgery or keep it minimal at best. You should know that exercise may cause
bleeding or throbbing, and it really happens, stop the activity right away.
This may weaken you since you’re not taking normal nourishment.
· Healing abutments will be placed at the time of
implant placement. So, do rinse them frequently and keep them clean. Wait for
the stitches to dissolve and then clean the abutments through gentle massage.
· Don’t use partial or full dentures or flippers
immediately after surgery or for 10 days afterward at least.
POST IMPLANTS CARE
Good oral hygiene is important not just for your teeth and gums but also
for overall wellbeing. Follow these tips to improve your oral health:
· Brush twice a day to maintain good oral hygiene
· Choose your toothbrush carefully and go for one with a small head and
soft bristles
· Change your toothbrush after every two to three months to not let frayed
or worn-out bristles harm your teeth and gums
· Go gently & thoroughly and don’t use too much force while brushing
as it might cause abrasion
· Floss at least once a day to keep plaque, bacteria, and foods struck
between the teeth out as it helps keep implants in good condition
· Take proper oral care at home to make your dental implants last a
lifetime
· Use mouth rinses once a day after meals to stay on top of your oral
health
· Don’t eat sticky foods as implants can attract more bacteria that your
natural teeth for being artificial in nature
· Eating and drinking right can help your implants stay out of the harm’s
way and such good oral care can make then last forever
Visit the dental clinic regularly and try to achieve good oral hygiene
to make your implants last for life.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q.1. How
Long Do Dental Implants Lasts?
Dental
implants are known to last
for very long, especially with proper care. They can last for as long as 25
years. Get dental implants from a professional at your nearest Clove Dental
Clinic.
Q.2. Can
One Get Full Mouth Dental Implants?
For missing teeth, dental
implants have become the most promising choice. If your mouth
is missing most or all of the teeth, then procedures like all-on-four and
all-on-six can help get full mouth dental implants with 4 or 6 titanium posts
on your jaw bone.
Q.3. Are
Dental Implants Painful?
While getting dental implants from
an expert implantologist, the patient will feel little or no pain at all. Part
of the preparation for the implant includes administering a local anaesthetic
so the patient does not feel any pain.
Q.4. What
Is The Cost Of Dental Implants?
At Clove Dental, one get the best quality of
treatment. We ensure that our patients get the value for the dental implant cost that they paid. Also,
Clove Dental purchases only from original manufacturers, therefore, maintaining
authenticity and quality.
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