Dental implants are an option for anyone missing one or more teeth. Modern day tooth implants restore your smile and your ability to speak and chew better with a permanent solution. If you are wondering whether or not dental implants are right for you, here’s everything you need to know about implants.
Dental Implants Are Permanent
Implants are surgically inserted into the bone of your upper or lower jaw where the missing tooth or missing teeth would ordinarily be. Once the metal implant base has fused with the jawbone, the crowns of the implants are inserted and fixed on top of these dental screws several weeks later after the gum tissue and bone have healed. This makes implants the most permanent solution for tooth loss, and a lot less complicated to care for than a partial denture or full dentures.
It is exceedingly rare, but it is possible to damage an implant. This would require intense force to jar the implant, something most people never experience. If your implants ever seem loose after an accident or a blow to your head/face, see your dentist right away.
What Implants Are Made Of
The tiny screws that are surgically inserted into the bone of your jaw are made of hospital-grade sterile titanium. They will never rust nor cause major health risks. The crowns are typically made of porcelain or a combination of metal and porcelain. You may also request a totally metal crown for back molar teeth if you are not concerned with anyone seeing the metal. Porcelain is the strongest tooth-colored material that produces lasting and natural-looking results.
How Long It Takes to Get Implants
A dental implant is a surgical procedure. Plan to block off the day when the dental screws to be inserted into your jaw(s). Most dentists will perform this painless procedure with patients fully awake with local anesthesia to numb the areas where the implant screws will go. You may want to take off from work a few extra days if you are feeling a lot of discomfort after the local anesthetic wears off. However, you should receive pain medication and aftercare instructions to manage any discomfort you might feel.
While your bones meld over the screws and the gum tissue heals, the doctors at Fennell, Yoxthimer and Associates will be working on crafting the crown(s) you need. A follow-up appointment a few days and then a few weeks after the initial procedure will determine when the crowns can be affixed to the dental screws. This generally takes about two to six weeks, depending on the number of implants you have had placed.
Caring for Implants Is Just Like Caring for Real Teeth
Implants should be brushed to keep them clean. You should continue to floss in between the implants and your natural teeth to keep your gums healthy. You can’t bleach implants, so make sure your natural teeth are as white as you want them to be before the dentist creates the matching crowns for your implants. Otherwise the crowns will be too obvious and not match the color of the rest of your teeth.
Dental Implant Treatments in Cincinnati, OH
Fennell, Yoxthimer, and Associates are here to provide comprehensive dental care both preventative and restorative to people throughout the tri-state area. With experienced professionals and advanced technology, we provide high-quality dental care you won’t find elsewhere, like our CEREC service that provides dental crowns in a single day. Find out how we can help you fill in the gaps in your smile with permanent, natural-looking dental implants by contacting us online today.
