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What to Know About Dental Implants

Many individuals are irritated by missing, disfigured, or badly damaged teeth. Gaps in your grin can have an influence not just on how you appear and feel, but also on your general dental health. Dr. Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem GA, explains that while there are various alternatives for replacing lost or damaged teeth, one that has grown in popularity is the dental implant. A dental implant Bethlehem GA, as opposed to dentures, is a permanent tooth replacement treatment. While the technique is more difficult than with ordinary dentures, it provides various advantages to dental patients. However, there are a ton of dental implants must-knows for those considering treatment. 

What exactly are dental implants?

A dental implant, as the name implies, is a device that is affixed to your jaw, beneath the gum line. Our Bethlehem GA dentist explains that this device fuses to your jaw, a dental expert can attach a metal post that functions as a “root” for an artificial tooth or a bridge of artificial teeth. Dental implants have become a popular alternative to traditional dentures. Contact our Loganville dentist office to learn more. 

Why should you choose implants over traditional dentures?

People prefer implants over traditional dentures for aesthetic and practical reasons. Many people enjoy the appearance of implants and appreciate not having to bother about inserting, removing, or cleaning their dentures.

Another reason many patients choose implants, Dr. Eastham, Grand Junction CO dentist explains, is that they want to be able to eat a variety of foods. Some foods, particularly those that are firm or sticky, might be difficult to consume with traditional dentures. Implants function similarly to natural teeth, making eating more comfortable and pleasant.

There is also the benefit of being able to care for your implant or implants. Unlike dentures, which may require specific cleaning and maintenance, implants may be cleaned with ordinary brushing and flossing. This not only saves you time, but it is also a more enjoyable approach to care for your teeth.

Other benefits of implants include not having to worry about dentures slipping when speaking, as well as the protection implants give for your jawbone. If you have gaps in your teeth, surrounding teeth may try to fill them. This is avoided with the use of an implant.

What Kinds of Dental Implant Materials Are There?

Titanium is commonly used for dental implants. This is the industry standard for implants and has been used successfully for decades. As follows, titatinum is also used to make the abutment (or post) that keeps the replacement tooth in place. Some dentists, however, utilize ceramic abutments as an alternative.

The replacement tooth (also known as a crown) can be manufactured of a variety of materials. Front-of-the-mouth crowns are frequently constructed of ceramic or porcelain because they are the most natural-looking and may be colored to match the rest of your teeth. Metal crowns may be recommended by a dentist in some circumstances for rear molars that are difficult to view. Metals are often more durable than ceramics or porcelain and may be a suitable alternative for folks who are concerned about harming their implants.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Dental Implant?

Obtaining a dental implant or implants is a multi-step procedure that might take months. You will be scheduled for implant placement once you and your dental expert have determined that you are a good candidate for the surgery. This may also necessitate the extraction of the damaged tooth to be replaced.

Your jaw and surrounding tissues will require time to recover once the implant is placed. This might take anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks. At this point, your dentist will examine the spot to ensure adequate healing and connect your replacement tooth.

What Should I Know About Dental Implant Recovery?

Dental implants are routinely placed under local anesthesia. You may need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever after the treatment to alleviate any discomfort. Your dentist will provide you guidelines for at-home aftercare, including when you should seek medical attention if you have bleeding, uncontrollable pain, or indications of infection.

What Kind of Aftercare Is Necessary?

After you have your implants, you will need to care for them in the same way that you would your natural teeth. This involves brushing and flossing twice a day and seeing the dentist on a regular basis for a cleaning and evaluation. Recent research has revealed that smoking can create difficulties with dental implants, so if you smoke, you should quit before getting your implants.

Contact our Restorative Dentistry Today

Ready to discuss your tooth replacement options? Contact Gentle Dental today. We can see if dental implants are the right option for you.