You should only ever lose a tooth as a child. But there are adulthood-related factors that can put you in this position. The tooth dies after receiving a root canal or becomes loose and falls out due to gum disease.
Two options exist in such a situation. As an alternative, you may just leave it empty. Yet, doing so forces your teeth inward, which can lead to gum disease and other dental issues. Alternatively, you can get a tooth implant.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
A dental implant can improve your life in many ways, not the least of which is your confidence and self-esteem. Once the gaps are filled in, the likelihood of additional tooth and gum deterioration is reduced. When your confidence grows, and you become less self-conscious about flashing your pearly whites, consider that as an added bonus.
Some Things to Look Forward To
Of course, you wouldn’t walk into a dentist’s office and ask for an implant without first doing some research. When you have a dental implant, here’s what to expect from your dentist.
1. This Is a Surgical Procedure
Dental implant placement is a surgical operation. Yet, this does not necessitate any hospitalization on your part. Usually, this takes place in a dentist’s office or a surgical clinic.
In order to qualify for a tooth implant, you must fulfill many requirements. Examples of this are:
- Full maturation of the jaw bone.
- Sufficient bone in the jaw to anchor the implant.
- Oral tissue in good health.
- None of your medical issues will hinder the bone from recovering.
- You are not a smoker.
2. It May Take a Few Months
No regular dental exam will include the placement of an implant. The dentist or oral surgeon will first take impressions of your jaw, implant the post, and place the replacement tooth. It may take several months to finish.
A full dental examination is the first thing to be prepared for. Complete dental and facial radiographs, or 3D imaging, fall under this category. Checking out your health background is next on the agenda. Provide specifics about your ongoing medical needs and the medications you’re currently using to manage them.
The dentist then determines whether or not your condition could be exacerbated by the invasive procedures involved in placing dental implants. A discussion of safety measures follows if this is the case. For example, to prevent infections, antibiotics could be administered prior. Dentures or another option may be suggested if the doctor determines the hazards to be too significant.
If the surgery is approved, the following will occur over the course of several months:
- Tooth extraction followed by washing and disinfection of the exposed gum.
- Getting the jaw ready for a transplant.
- The installation of the anchoring hardware: a dental implant.
- A time frame for recovery and bone development.
- Abutment implantation.
- The replacement tooth is added.
- Grafting of Bones
In cases where the jawbone is too weak or thin to support the implant, a bone graft will likely be necessary. When you chew, you put a lot of stress on your jaw.
Implants become loose due to insufficient bone development. The dental implant will be permanently anchored into the jawbone; thus, the graft is used to repair that area. Artificial or real bone is used to construct it. It can take several months for large grafts to mature. Any minor adjustments could be made at the time of implant placement.
3. Post-Surgery
There will be some post-operative pain associated with getting implants and abutments. Gum and skin swelling and bruising are the most typical symptoms. Some implant procedures cause mild bleeding and discomfort at the insertion site. The pain can be lessened by using ice and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Dental implant surgery has the potential to alter both the appearance and the function of your mouth. Before deciding if the treatment is correct for you, make sure you do your homework.
Conclusion
If you are in need of a tooth implant, there are a few things you can expect. First, you will need to consult with a dental implant specialist to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Once it is determined that you are a good candidate, the next step is to have a dental implant placed. This is typically done through a surgical procedure. After the implant is placed, you will need to wait for it to heal before the next step, which is to have a dental crown placed on top of the implant.
With proper care, a tooth implant can provide many years of improved oral health and a more attractive smile.
If you are looking for a dental institution that does dental implants in Harrisonburg, VA, look no further than our expertise here at Harrisonburg Family Dentistry. We have highly rated dentist who have been providing top quality dental care to Harrisonburg patients for over a years. If you are in need of dental care, call us to schedule a free consultation or book an appointment.