Dental Implants

Losing teeth is not something that anyone looks forward to. Luckily there are a number of options for replacement, one being dental implants. Dental implants are appliances made of titanium that are inserted into the upper or lower jawbone. The implant will hold the replacement teeth in place, making the teeth look more natural. While some people use dental implants to replace a single tooth, others use it to replace all of them. Dental implants are a good alternative to dentures.

Anyone is able to get dental implants as long as they have sufficient bone in the desired area. The bone must be strong enough to anchor the implants in place. If you do not have a strong enough bone, a bone graft may be used. Bone grafting involves using bone from other areas of the body in order to grow a new bone. Generally bones are taken from the mouth or hip. Sometimes it is necessary to use a synthetic material.

Since dental implants are a surgical procedure, it is important that you find a good and trained dentist or surgeon. It is best to get a personal referral from patients, friends or family who has had dental surgery in the past. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your dentist and trust them.

The entire dental implant procedure will take 3-6 months to complete. To start, the implant is screwed into your bone and must then heal for several months before the crown (replacement teeth) are attached. Anesthesia is used during the procedure to ensure that the patient does not feel a thing. Throughout the few months, the bone will form around the implant, creating a firm and sturdy base. Although it is rare, it is possible for the implant to be rejected by the bone. If this occurs, a new implant (usually of larger size) will have to be inserted. Once the bone has healed completely, the replacement teeth will be attached.

Pain after the procedure varies from patient to patient, and in many cases it depends on the extent of the surgery. Bruising and swelling will also develop shortly after the conclusion of the surgery. Pain and bruising will decrease after several days.

Another factor that needs to be considered is crown color. In order to look natural the replacement teeth should match the natural teeth. To achieve this, it is recommended that you whiten your teeth to your desired brightness, and the dentist will make the replacement that same color. Other factors that should be taken into consideration are skin complexion, and hair and eye color.

For more information on dentistry, contact a dentist in your area.