Are you missing a tooth? A gap between your teeth could cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Your smile might start to look crooked as a result.
Before that can happen, consider talking to your dentist about scheduling a dental implant procedure. The number of dental implants increased by 6.3% between 2019 and 2020. Procedures could increase by 23% by 2026, too.
How do dental implants work, exactly? Are you an ideal candidate for implant dentistry?
Keep reading to find out!
After reading this guide, you can determine if a dental implant will suit your needs. You can schedule your dental implant procedure and restore your smile.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about dental implants today!
What Are Dental Implants?
First, let’s answer the question that likely brought you here: how do dental implants work, exactly?
Dental implants can replace teeth you’ve lost due to decay, injury, infection, or gum disease.
Your cosmetic dentist will surgically fit a dental implant, or prosthetic tooth, into your jawbone. You’ll need to wait a few months for the implant to fuse with the bone. This process is also called osseointegration.
Osseointegration ensures the implant is stable before your dentist places the crown, or replacement tooth.
Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. The implant is made of titanium. Since it fuses with your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about your body rejecting the implant.
Ideal Candidates
Who is an ideal candidate for a dental implant procedure?
First, your dentist will need to make sure you’re in good general and oral health. They’ll make sure you have adequate bone in your jaw as well. If you don’t have enough bone to support the implant, your dentist might suggest an alternative.
The best candidates also have healthy gum tissues. Your dentist will need to make sure you’re free of periodontal disease before scheduling your procedure.
You can schedule a consultation appointment with your cosmetic dentist. They can review your oral and overall health to determine if you’re an ideal candidate.
The Benefits
Dental implants can replace one or multiple missing teeth. You can fill in gaps in your smile, which could benefit your overall health.
If there’s a gap between your teeth, you might struggle to eat your favorite foods. You could struggle to pronounce certain words as well. Some people also feel self-conscious about their missing teeth.
In fact, over half of America feels insecure about their teeth.
Without dental implants, your surrounding teeth could start to move toward the gap. These teeth might start to appear crooked as a result. You might require orthodontic treatment before your dental implant procedure to make space for the implant.
Restoring your smile with dental implants could boost your confidence, too.
Types of Implants
During your dental implant consultation appointment, talk to your dentist about the types of implants available. Most implants fall into one of two categories. Your dentist might suggest endosteal or subperiosteal implants based on your needs.
Subperiosteal implants are set on top of your jawbone. Endosteal implants are placed within the jawbone. Your dentist might recommend endosteal implants for long-term benefits.
In some cases, however, you might only require temporary anchorage. Your dentist might recommend mini dental implants. Mini implants can help move your teeth into position.
All-on-4 implants are an ideal option if you’re missing teeth that are connected in an arch. This option can help provide additional stability.
The Procedure
How do dental implants work, exactly?
First, it’s important to note that your dentist will break your dental implant procedure into multiple appointments. They’ll likely schedule each appointment a few months apart.
During the first appointment, your dentist will need to place the implant.
They’ll start by numbing your mouth with IV sedation or local anesthesia. Your dentist might need to remove the tooth if a portion is still in place. Once the tooth is extracted, they’ll make an incision in your gums.
Then, they’ll place the tooth root implant. Once the implant is in place, your dentist will close your gums.
Over time, your jawbone will begin to grow around the dental implant. Remember, bone growth will ensure the implant remains stable.
Your dentist will need to make sure you’ve healed before the next step. They’ll ensure the bone and titanium implant have fused. Then, they place the connection piece over your implant.
The abutment will ensure your new replacement tooth remains in place.
Then, you’ll need a few months to heal. Your dentist will make impressions of your teeth to create your crown. Once the crown is ready, they can place it over the abutment.
Aftercare
Make sure to talk to your dentist about caring for your implants. For single implants, make sure to:
- Clean your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristle brush
- Clean your teeth using a low-abrasive toothpaste
- Floss with unwaxed tape
- Use a recommended oral irrigator
- Brush under and around the implant crown
Learning how to properly care for your implants will ensure their longevity. You can keep your implant free of destructive bacteria and plaque. Otherwise, an infection in the tissues could lead to failure.
Make sure to discuss your aftercare routine with your dentist following your dental implant procedure.
Cost
Roughly 3 million people receive 5.5 million implants every year in the US. The cost for a single-tooth implant can vary between a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
The cost of your dental implant can vary based on:
- The materials used
- Your location
- The reason you need dental implants
- The dentist’s professional experience
- Prerequisite treatments
- The number of implants you need
Make sure to talk to your dentist to determine a more accurate cost.
How Do Dental Implants Work?: Implant Dentistry for Stunning Smiles
To recap, how do dental implants work? Your dentist will place a titanium screw into your jawbone. Once the area heals, they can place a crown over the implant.
With dental implants, you can restore your smile and self-confidence with ease!
Eager to schedule your consultation appointment? We can’t wait to see you.
Request a one-on-one consultation at one of our locations today to get started.