Missing teeth not can not only make you feel self-conscious, but can also interfere with the way you eat and speak. Luckily, tooth replacement options have come a long way over the past few decades. Most dental patients with missing teeth are good candidates for dental implants, which are artificial teeth that replace both the roots and the crown of a missing tooth.
Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They’re easy to care for, and they can last a lifetime. However, if you’re like most patients, you probably have a few questions you’d like answered before you call and schedule an appointment for implants.
The following are three of the most common questions our patients have about dental implants – and their answers!
Are dental implants right for me?
Dental implants are a good option for most patients with missing teeth. While they do have to be inserted surgically, patients generally feel the benefits that they receive from implants are well worth the hassle and discomfort. The following are some situations in which implants work especially well:
You’re missing one or a few teeth.
Maybe you lost one tooth due to infection or decay, but your other teeth are relatively healthy. In a situation like this, a denture isn’t necessary. And while dentists sometimes replace single missing teeth with bridges, a bridge can put strain on neighboring teeth. Plus, it doesn’t extend into the jawbone, which can lead to problems with bone loss and longevity.
For a single missing tooth, a single dental implant is often the best choice. The “root” part of the implant will help stimulate the jaw bone, which keeps it strong over time. This, in turn, helps keep the rest of your natural teeth stable and strong.
Once your implant site has healed, your implant will look just like a natural tooth. So, you’ll no longer have to worry about a gap in your smile or an obvious false tooth. Patients report an increase in self-esteem after having missing teeth replaced with implants, especially when the missing tooth is a front tooth.
You want to avoid the hassle of dentures.
Dentures certainly have their place. However, they also come with a lot of hassles. Some patients don’t like having to remove them every night. Others struggle to keep them clean, and some have a hard time adapting to eating and speaking clearly with traditional dentures.
A type of dental implant called “all-on-4 implants” is a good alternative for patients who are struggling with traditional dentures. If you opt for all-on-four implants, your dentist will implant four posts into your jawbone, and they’ll attach an entire arch of teeth to those four posts. These implants will be more stable, and you won’t have to remove them nightly as you do with traditional dentures. Patients also find they have an easier time talking and eating naturally with all-on-four implants than with traditional dentures.
You’re in reasonably good health.
Your body does need to heal after implant surgery. As such, the best candidates for dental implants are usually those with reasonably good health. This doesn’t mean you won’t be a candidate if you have an underlying medical condition, like diabetes or osteoporosis. However, if you do have one of these conditions, your dentist will want to evaluate your medical history and overall health to ensure implants are a safe and effective option for you.
The best candidates for implants also have ample jaw bone. This gives the implant the support and stability it needs. However, if your jaw bones are thin or weak, your dentist may be able to apply a bone graft to strengthen the jaw bone, making implants a more feasible option.
What’s the procedure like?
Don’t let the word “surgery” scare you off from considering implants! Most patients are surprised by how simple and comfortable the process is. Your dentist will use anesthetics to ensure you don’t feel a thing during your implant surgery. Some patients feel a bit of pressure, but there shouldn’t be any direct pain during the procedure.
Traditionally, dental implant surgery takes place in three stages. At the first appointment, we insert the posts, or the true implant, into your jawbone. We then suture your gum tissue closed and give the implant site time to heal. Over the next couple of months, your jaw bone grows in and around the implant, making it strong and stable.
At your second appointment, we’ll attach something called an abutment to the implant post. This is basically like a connector piece. Then, finally, we’ll attach the crown, which is the visible portion of the implant that sits above your gumline. This final appointment is really quick and virtually painless. We love seeing patients walk out of the office with a new, natural-looking smile!
What can I expect afterward?
Recovering from dental implant surgery isn’t much different from recovering from any other dental procedure. After you have the posts inserted, you’ll have some swelling and soreness at the surgical sites. However, over-the-counter pain relievers and rinsing with salt water can help keep you comfortable.
You’ll need to stick to soft foods for a few days post-surgery, but you can generally begin eating more crunchy and chewy foods within a week or two, at most.
Once you have the crown attached, you might forget you even have an implant! You’ll be able to chew just like you would with a natural tooth. You care for your implant like you would a normal tooth, too. Be sure to brush it twice a day and floss around it daily. Even though it can’t develop cavities or decay, it’s important to keep your implant clean in order to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Implants can, and often do, last 10 years or more before needing replaced – particularly if you care for them well. If the crown becomes damaged in any way, your dentist can replace it. That’s not a surgical procedure, since the post that’s implanted in your jaw bone won’t need to be disturbed.
One of the biggest benefits our patients mention is an increase in self-confidence. Instead of trying to hide their smile, they’re able to walk into a room and smile with confidence. This can have huge benefits in your personal and professional life.
Patients also have an easier time speaking clearly after dental implants. This is especially common if a front tooth was missing. You’ll be able to place your tongue properly and more easily make sounds like “th” and “l.”
And, of course, dental implants make it easier to eat a well-balanced diet. You can eat anything you’d enjoy eating with natural teeth, and you won’t have to worry about foods getting stuck in or irritating your “gap.”
If you’re missing one or several teeth, contact Orange City Modern Dentistry to learn more about our dental implant options. We put our patients’ needs first, and we’re happy to answer any other questions you might have.