Dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option for patients who want a natural-looking, comfortable, and durable solution. They can also help preserve remaining teeth and prevent bone loss. Unlike other treatments, dental implants are permanently fused to bone. They also eliminate the need for removing and cleaning dentures, which can cause gum infections.
Aesthetics
When deciding on tooth replacement options, many patients desire restorations that look natural. Not only do they want their new replacement teeth to look like their old ones, but they also want the supporting bone and gum tissues to appear healthy and stable.
This is a significant challenge because the aesthetics of implant dentistry are influenced by several factors, such as marginal bone loss, changes in soft tissue and the ability to achieve desirable pink aesthetic scores. Achieving these objectives requires meticulous treatment planning, regular follow-ups, patient education, expectation management and collaboration between specialists.
Before placing a dental implant, it must be surgically placed and allowed to heal (osseointegrate). After the healing period is complete, a metal connector called an abutment is screwed onto the implant. This connects the new crown, which may be a single tooth, a bridge or denture that replaces multiple missing teeth, to the implant. The final prosthesis can be delivered in either a one-stage or two-stage procedure.
Comfort
Dental implants integrate into the jawbone, preventing bone loss at the surgical site. This stability enables natural chewing function and eliminates discomfort associated with misaligned teeth or a faulty bite.
A resemblance to natural teeth also contributes to the comfort of dental implants. They feel like natural teeth and look like your real ones, allowing you to enjoy all of your favourite foods without worry. Additionally, they prevent resorption of the jawbone, preserving your facial shape and avoiding the collapsed appearance that can occur with missing teeth.
While implant surgery may seem intimidating, dentists and oral surgeons have been performing this procedure for over 30 years and have mastered the use of pain control techniques. Using local anesthesia, sedation dentistry, and advanced dental technology, patients can receive an implant procedure that is as comfortable as possible. Swelling and bruising following the procedure are common, but can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. A thorough pre-surgery evaluation and adherence to post-surgery instructions mitigate the risk of complications.
Function
Implants preserve the jaw bone by stimulating it to grow in its place, and they prevent bone loss in the surrounding area. They also avoid the need to grind down adjacent teeth as a support for a bridge, which can impact their health.
After surgery, it’s normal to experience some pain and swelling. However, this usually can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Before placing your dental implants, we’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation and take into account your medical history. We may recommend a pre-prosthetic procedure to restore healthy gum tissue and bone, as needed. A temporary prosthesis is placed during the healing process, which allows you to eat and speak normally while waiting for your dental implant crowns to be created. We’ll then insert the titanium screw-shaped implant post, and it will fuse to your jaw bone in a process known as osseointegration. A metal spacer is often attached to the post for easy fabrication and placement of your new replacement tooth.
Maintenance
Dental implants are remarkably durable, but they are not a “fit and forget” treatment. Just like natural teeth, they require daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional checkups to keep them healthy and functional.
Oral hygiene habits are important for all patients, but they’re even more crucial to the success of implant restorations. Dental implants are susceptible to plaque buildup that can lead to peri-implant disease, similar to gum disease around natural teeth. This condition causes pain, inflammation, and bone loss around the implant site.
Avoiding hard or sticky foods, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption are also essential to the longevity of dental implants. In addition, sleeping with your mouth open or using a straw can irritate the implant site and contribute to healing complications. This is why a proactive oral hygiene routine and addressing habits like grinding and clenching (bruxism) are so important.