Dental implant surgery is a treatment that replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that appear and function similarly to natural teeth. Dental implant surgery can be a nice solution to poorly fitting bridgework or dentures, as well as an option when a shortage of natural tooth roots makes bridgework or dentures tooth replacements impossible to manufacture. Check out the museum district implants and orthodontics to learn more.
The type of implant used and the health of your jawbone determine how dental implant surgery is conducted. Dental implant surgery may encompass a number of techniques. The main advantage of implants is that they provide stable support for your new teeth, a procedure that needs the bone to heal securely around the implant. Because bone regeneration takes time, the procedure might take months.
Why is it done?
Dental implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone to act as the roots of missing teeth. Since titanium implants merge with your jawbone, they will not slip, make noise, or cause bone deterioration like fixed dentures or bridgework. The materials will not deteriorate like the teeth that support traditional bridgework.
Dental implants may be appropriate for you if you:
- Have adequate bone to secure the implants or can have a bone graft
- Have a jawbone that has reached full growth
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
- Do not have health conditions that will affect bone healing
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Do not smoke tobacco
- Are willing to commit several months to the process
- Want to improve your speech
Risks involved with dental implants
Dental implant surgery, like any other operation, carries some health concerns. However, problems are uncommon; when they arise, they are typically small and readily remedied. Among the dangers are:
- Nerve damage can result in discomfort, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin.
- Injuries or damage to nearby structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
- Infection at the implant location
- When dental implants inserted in the upper jaw intrude into one of your sinus cavities, you may experience sinus difficulties.
Before dental implants
A doctor who specializes in conditions of the jaw, mouth, and face (maxillofacial and oral surgeon), a dentist who designs and fits artificial teeth (prosthodontist), a dentist who treats structures that support the teeth, such as gums and bones (periodontist), or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist may all be involved in the planning process for dental implants. Because dental implants need one or more surgical operations, you must undergo a complete assessment to prepare for the treatment.
