Dental implants
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are usually made of titanium and are surgically placed into the jawbone. Over time, the bone grows around the implant, making it very secure. Dental implants can support one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.
Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. And since they are designed to fuse with your bone, they become a permanent part of your mouth.
Unlike dentures, dental bridges, and other tooth-replacement devices, implant-supported replacements won’t slip or shift in your mouth. This means that you can eat and talk with great confidence.
Types of Implants Available
Dental implants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. Your dentist Highett can help you choose the type that is best for you.
The most common dental implant type is the endosteal implant. This is placed in the jawbone and acts as a replacement for the root of a tooth. The top of the implant protrudes through the gum, and a crown is placed on top.
Another type of implant is the subperiosteal implant. This is placed below the gum but on or above the jawbone. This procedure is suggested for people who do not have enough healthy jawbone to support an endosteal implant.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. They offer multiple benefits, including:
Improved appearance: The most significant benefit of dental implants is that they can give you a beautiful and natural-looking smile. Unlike other tooth replacement options, such as dentures, implants are made to look, feel, and function like your teeth.
Better speech: Another great benefit of dental implants is that they can help you speak more clearly. Because implants are securely anchored to your jawbone, they enable you to pronounce words more clearly than dentures.
Convenience while eating: Dental implants also offer significant benefits in eating. Implants function like your teeth, so you can bite and chew food confidently. This contrasts with dentures, which can slip and make it difficult to eat certain foods.
Better comfort: Dental implants are fixed permanently in your mouth, so you don’t have to worry about slipping or falling out. This makes them much more comfortable than other tooth replacement options, such as dentures.
Improved oral health: Dental implants also greatly benefit your oral health. Unlike other tooth replacement options, implants do not require adjacent teeth to be altered to support them. This helps to keep your healthy teeth intact. In addition, because implants are securely fixed in your mouth, they help to prevent gum disease.
Improved self-esteem: The final benefit of dental implants is that they can improve your self-esteem. Missing teeth can cause you to feel embarrassed and self-conscious about your smile. Dental implants can give you back confidence and help you feel good about yourself again.
How Costly Are Dental Implants?
The cost of dental implants can vary depending on various factors, including the type of implant, the number of implants required, and the location of the surgery. For example, a straightforward implant may cost lesser than an implant that first needs a sinus lift or a bone graft. To know the exact cost of dental implants, it is best to consult our team of dental implant experts at Studio Smiles. We can give you a tailored treatment plan and cost estimate based on your needs.
Dental Implant Process
Before the procedure :
The first step is to meet with your implant dentist to discuss your treatment options. During this consultation, your dentist will take a thorough medical history and conduct a physical examination of your mouth. This information will help them determine if dental implants are the proper treatment for you.
If you proceed with dental implants, your next appointment will be for implant surgery. This appointment will be scheduled when you are healthy and there is no active infection in your mouth.
Before your implant surgery, you will need a few preliminary tests. These tests may include X-rays, a CT scan, or an oral exam under anesthesia. These tests will help your dentist map out your implants’ placement and ensure enough bone is available to support them.
During the procedure:
The implant surgery is usually done under local anesthesia, though you may be given sedation if you experience anxiety or have a complex case. Once comfortable, your implant dentist will make small incisions in your gum line and insert the titanium posts.
The surgery takes 1-2 hours but may be longer depending on the number of implants placed. After the surgery, you will experience some swelling and discomfort. Your implant dentist will give you pain medication to help manage this.
After the procedure:
After your implant surgery, you will need to take it easy for a few days. You should avoid strenuous activity and eating hard or crunchy foods. It is also essential to keep your mouth clean, so be sure to brush and floss carefully.
Within a few weeks, your implants should start to fuse with your bone. This process, called osseointegration, is vital for the success of your implants. Once osseointegration is complete, you will return to your implant dentist to have the permanent tooth (or teeth) placed.
Permanent teeth can be attached to your implants in a few different ways. The most common method is called screw-retained crowns. In this case, your dentist will attach a metal abutment to the top of your implant before placing the crown on top.
Another option is called cement-retained crowns. With this method, your dentist will place the crown directly on the implant without an abutment. A third option, known as implant-supported bridges or dentures, can be used to replace multiple missing teeth.
With any of these methods, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene habits. This means brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
Caring For Your Dental Implants
For your dental implants to look good and be functional for long, you must look after them well. Neglecting to care for your dental implants can result in an inflammatory condition affecting the soft and/or hard tissues around them. The implant and bone may be lost if this issue is not addressed as soon as possible. Your chances of developing problems with your teeth and implant can be minimized if you clean your implants regularly.
Maintaining your dental implants is easy. Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your dental implants.
- Brush your teeth daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush
Everyone knows that brushing their teeth daily is essential. However, only a few know that brushing teeth using soft bristles is equally crucial. Soft-bristled toothbrushes offer a complete cleaning experience for your teeth without causing any damage to your gums. They remove tartar and plaque from all corners of your mouth without being too harsh. Dentists may sometimes recommend using electric toothbrushes to clean your teeth thoroughly. These brushes can generate more strokes than the human hand; therefore, you may be recommended to pick an electric brush with soft bristles by your dental care provider.
It would help if you brushed your teeth immediately after waking up to remove bacteria accumulated in your mouth overnight. Also, brush before you go to bed at night to remove the bacteria accumulated in the mouth throughout the day. A bacteria-free mouth lowers the chances of plaque formation and deterioration overnight.
- Apply floss to the crown and bridge
Flossing is essential for cleaning your dental implants. You may use the special floss available for cleaning below and around your implants. These special floss feature two stiff nylon ends and a fuzzy centre for quick and easy cleaning on and around the dental implant. The firm ends enter between the implants quickly, making it easy for you to draw it through to the other side. Flossing can be done after brushing your teeth to remove any toothpaste residue. This special floss also allows easy spreading of fluoride evenly around the implant and prevents bacteria growth.
- Choose a low-abrasive toothpaste
Just like soft-bristled toothbrushes are essential for thoroughly cleaning your teeth, toothpaste with no abrasive components is also necessary. Many people choose toothpaste with baking soda or other stain-remover agents, thinking such pastes perform better. However, the reality is that these ingredients do bad than good to your porcelain implants. They may damage the glaze of your implants, thus making them less attractive. To maintain the look of your implants, choosing a toothpaste formulated specifically for dental implants is best. Your dentist may recommend the best toothpaste based on your implant cleaning needs.
- Brush below and around the dental implant crown
Plaque and bacteria can build up below and around the implant crown, thus increasing the risk of developing peri-implantitis. These areas can be cleaned with an interdental toothbrush or an angled-neck toothbrush.
Who Can Undergo a Dental Implant Procedure?
Implants are suitable for all ages. To be eligible for this procedure, however, you will need to have the following:
- Healthy Gums
Your dentist must work closely with your gums when placing dental implants. Implant surgery requires that healthy gums be maintained. Patients with gum infections are not good candidates for this procedure.
- Sufficient Bone Density
Implants are placed into the jawbone and require sufficient bone density. Therefore, they aren’t recommended for people who have weak jaws. However, in the case of a not-so-strong jaw, your dentist may recommend that you have additional treatments done to rebuild your bone before you consider implant surgery.
- Good Oral Health & Hygiene
An implant procedure is successful in patients who are healthy and have no infections or other dental issues. Those who maintain good oral hygiene are considered the best candidates for implants. Daily brushing, flossing and making regular visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth.
Single Implant Dental Implants – What Are They?
Single implants are an option for people who are missing one tooth. The implant is placed in the space where the tooth is missing, and a replacement tooth, called a crown, is attached to the implant. This option can be used whether you have had your teeth removed by choice or by necessity.
The most obvious advantage to having a single implant is that it looks and feels like your natural tooth. It is also easier to keep clean than a traditional dental bridge, which consists of two crowns connected by a false tooth.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
If you are missing all your teeth or are facing the prospect of losing them, you may be a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants. This dental implant is designed to provide a complete set of replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In addition, the All-on-4 system uses four implants to support an entire arch of replacement teeth. This makes the procedure much less invasive than other types of dental implant procedures and can provide you with a new set of teeth faster.
If you are considering All-on-4 dental implants, it is a must to understand the benefits and risks of this type of procedure. The benefits of All-on-4 dental implants include the following:
A complete set of replacement teeth that look and feel like natural teeth
Increased chewing and speaking ability
Improved appearance
Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
The risks associated with All-on-4 dental implants include the following:
Infection at the implant site
Injury to the teeth or gums
Nerve damage
Allergic reaction to the implants or materials used in the procedure
All-on-6 Dental Implants
All-on-6 dental implants are a type of dental implant that can be used to provide a complete set of new teeth. The implants are placed in the jawbone and function as a base for artificial teeth, which can be either removable or permanently attached. All-on-6 implants are an option for people who have lost all their natural teeth or have significant tooth decay or damage.
The lifespan of Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution for missing teeth. With proper care, they can last for decades. The lifespan of dental implants is often compared to that of natural teeth.
How long your dental implant may last depends on various factors like:
- The type of dental implant you have
- The quality of the dental implant
- The oral health of the patient
- The skill of the implant dentist
- How well the patient takes care of their dental implants and oral hygiene
Implants placed by a skilled dentist can last longer than implants fixed by less experienced surgeons. To get implants done, choosing a dentist with plenty of experience and knowledge is crucial.
Dental Implant Failure
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution to tooth loss, but unfortunately, they can and do fail. While the success rate of dental implants is high, estimated at 98%, there are several potential causes of implant failure.
The most common cause of dental implant failure is infection. When an implant is placed in the jawbone, the bone must heal around the implant in a process called osseointegration. If this healing process is disrupted by infection, the implant will not be able to fuse properly with the bone and will eventually fail.
Other causes of dental implant failure include:
Overloading: If an implant is placed in an area of the mouth that experiences a lot of chewing force (such as the back molars), it may be more likely to fail due to overloading.
Lifestyle: Smoking and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of implant failure. Tobacco and alcohol use can cause problems with healing and increase the likelihood of infection.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, can increase the risk of implant failure.
Poor oral hygiene: It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene when you have dental implants to reduce the risk of implant failure. Poor oral hygiene can lead to infection and other complications.
Signs of Implant Failure
The most common sign of implant failure is a change in the way your implant feels. For example, you may experience pain, swelling, or redness around the implant. If you have an implant that is not functioning correctly, it is essential to see your doctor as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
Other signs of implant failure include:
- A change in the size or shape of your implant
- A change in the way your implant looks
- A lump or mass around your implant
- Discharge from your implant
Dental Implants at Studio Smiles
Dental implants may be the right option for you if you need a tooth replacement solution that is both functional and aesthetic. At Studio Smiles, we offer high-quality dental implants that can provide you with a natural-looking and feeling smile.
Dental implants offer a way to replace missing teeth that looks and feels very natural. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are permanently anchored into your jawbone, providing a stable foundation for replacement teeth.
There are many advantages to choosing dental implants over other tooth replacement options. Dental implants are:
- Permanent: Once implants are placed, they are there for life.
- Strong and stable: Implants are securely anchored into your jawbone, so they feel and function like natural teeth.
- Versatile: Implants can replace one tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in your mouth.
- Natural looking:Implants look and feel like your own natural teeth.
- Preserve facial structure:Unlike dentures, which can cause bone loss in the jaw, dental implants help preserve bone.
- Improve oral health:Dental implants don’t require the reduction of adjacent teeth, like bridges. This means that more natural teeth are left intact, improving your oral health.
If you miss one or more teeth, talk to your dentist about dental implants. Dental implants may be the right solution for you!
No, dental implants cannot loosen on their own. However, if the surrounding teeth are not cared for, they can put pressure on the implants and cause them to loosen. Additionally, if an implant is not placed correctly in the jawbone, it can become loose over time. Hence, choosing an experienced dentist for your implant surgery is essential.
A skilled and knowledgeable dentist can place the implant correctly and ensure that the surrounding teeth are properly cared for. This will help to avoid any problems with loosening in the future. Moreover, it is essential to follow all post-operative instructions to prevent complications.
Patients should be aware of several potential limitations of dental implants before considering this treatment option. One such limitation is the potential for implant failure, which can occur if the implant does not fuse properly with the surrounding bone. This can lead to pain, instability, and, eventually, the need to remove the implant.
Other potential complications associated with dental implants include infection, nerve damage, and sinus problems. Another potential limitation of dental implants is that they are not always covered by insurance. As a result, patients may have to pay for the implants out-of-pocket, which can be costly. Finally, patients should be aware that dental implants can take several months to heal properly, so they may need to take time off from work or other activities.
The answer may vary from dentist to dentist. Some practices may offer only basic services and leave complex procedures like dental implants to specialists. Others, like Studio Smiles, are proud to provide both family dentistry and advanced treatments like dental implants under one roof. This offers convenience for patients who can receive comprehensive care from a team they know and trust. So when considering dental implants, be sure to ask about the options available at your preferred family dentist’s office. And for those in search of a practice that offers it all, consider giving Studio Smiles a try.
Aftercare for dental implants is essential to ensure the success of your implant surgery. Immediately following your surgery, you must avoid dislodging the implants. This means avoiding hard or crunchy foods and brushing and flossing your teeth carefully. You should also avoid tobacco products, as they can increase the risk of implant failure.
In the long term, it is essential to keep up with regular dental visits and cleanings. This will help to ensure that your implants remain healthy and strong. Talk to your dentist or implant surgeon if you have any concerns about your aftercare.
