dental implants: Decay, deep cavities, failed root canal therapy, and injury – These are some of the common reasons why you may need to pull out one or more of your natural teeth. Immediately after a tooth is extracted, there is a rapid decline in bone mass, which may cause other teeth to shift, and losing too many of your teeth can alter the facial structure of your face. If you want a more permanent solution, you can talk to your dentist in Cotswold, Charlotte, NC, about dental implants. In this comprehensive guide, we will talk about dental implants along with the pros and cons that are worth noting.
Understanding dental implants: An overview
A dental implant is like a replacement tooth root. It is placed in the jawbone or above it through surgery and is often called a post. An abutment is screwed to the implant and works as the base for a replacement tooth. You can get replacement teeth in the form of crowns, dentures, or dental bridges, which are fixed to the abutments over dental implants. Usually, implants are made of body-safe titanium.
Advantages at a glance
- Dental implants are highly durable and can last a lifetime. Because the implant is placed inside the jawbone, it becomes a part of your oral structure.
- Many patients love the new-found biting and chewing ability with implant-supported replacement teeth. Even if you choose to get a denture to replace a missing tooth, it will not slip or move around inside the mouth, and you can continue to eat, chew, talk, brush, and floss normally.
- Rapid bone loss can lead to facial sagging, which can make a patient look older than they are. As long as you choose to get implants immediately after extracting one or more of your teeth, you can avoid these concerns because implants stimulate the bone and prevent a decline in bone mass.
- Another reason to choose implants is the protection for other teeth. Once you remove a tooth, the adjacent teeth may start to shift to fill the gap. This will not only cause other issues like crowded or misaligned teeth but also affect the overall structure of your mouth. Dental implants help prevent that from happening.
- You don’t need to take extra care for implants, and that’s a relief. As we discussed earlier, you can continue to brush and floss as usual, and no additional cost or precaution is required.
On the flip side
- Unlike dentures or dental bridges, which can be ordered and used almost immediately within two to three weeks, getting replacement teeth with implants can take time. Once the dental implants are placed surgically, it can take many weeks or months for the surgical site to heal.
- You will also need multiple appointments during the entire treatment. While the final results are permanent, the procedure and steps involved can be time-consuming, and your dentist will usually have suggestions and instructions for you to follow.
- If you have lost a lot of bone mass, you may need additional procedures like bone grafting before you can get dental implants. That can further prolong the entire treatment process.
Meet your dentist to learn more
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for dental implants. You need healthy gums to hold the implants in place, and only when your dentist is done with a complete checkup with advanced scans can they suggest whether the treatment is right for you. With advancements in dental care, more patients, including seniors, are now getting implants. Talk to your dentist in detail about the risks, if any, what you can expect during the procedure, and other aspects unique to your case.
