What are the benefits and procedures involved in dental implants?

Millions of people across the globe have been increasingly relying on dental care treatment. Unfortunately, the number of people suffering from tooth decay and gum disease is increasing irrespective of the advancements that have taken place in the field of dentistry. The causes include poor oral habits and avoiding dental checkups. Therefore, it is the right time to consider the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Otherwise, the harmful effects due to tooth decay or gum disease can lead to huge expenses. There was a time when bridges and dentures played a crucial role in resolving the issues of missing or broken teeth. But with the advancements in technology, dental implants are gaining attention among people looking for a tooth replacement. In this blog, we will take a detailed look into the various procedures and benefits involved in a dental implant.

To begin with, what exactly is a dental implant? It is a screw built using titanium which is then fixed onto the jawbone where the tooth root was earlier present. It is capable enough to support one or more artificial teeth. It acts as a well-built foundation onto which a dentist in Cypress can place removable or permanent teeth that merge better with that of the existing natural teeth.

Dental Implant Procedure

A dentist may give local anesthesia during the procedure. It is usually performed safely by a Cypress dentist in a calm and relaxed environment. Depending on the complication of the procedure required, a dentist may recommend hospitalization and intravenous sedation. The preferences of the patient and the overall need of the situation will be considered during a dental implant procedure.

The first step in a dental implant would be to place a dental plate into the gum. It is mainly done to protect the implant from force and give time for healing. Once it heals, the dental implant is exposed through the surgical removal of some gum. This process is also known as osseointegrate. The second step involves the dentist checking the implant to determine whether it has integrated successfully into the gum. Next, a post, also known as an abutment, will be placed by drilling into the gum. Once the area near the gum heals, a collar will be formed, which gives the dentist improved access to the dental implants during the placement of artificial or prosthetic teeth. Depending on the dental surgeon’s opinion, both these steps are sometimes performed together within smaller intervals. However, the time required for healing and integration may determine when both these steps need to be done. It may range from a few days to some weeks. The final step involves the dentist performing fabrication and fixing of the artificial teeth into the integrated dental implants.

Advantages of Dental Implants

  • Dental implants eliminate the discomfort associated with fixing and removing dentures, thus providing a patient with improved comfort.
  • Dentures always have a possibility of slipping, which may interfere with chewing or eating food. With implants, such problems are eliminated.
  • Implants ensure that the natural teeth are left unchanged, as there is no need to modify or adjust nearby teeth while using dental implants.
  • It feels more like natural teeth.
  • Implants are convenient as there is no need to remove and clean them, such as dentures.
  • It increases your confidence.
  • It is durable if proper care is given and further going for regular dental checkups.

Visit your nearby dental surgeon in Cypress, Texas, for world-class dental care services such as dental implants.

Are Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

If you need a reliable long-lasting way to replace your missing teeth then dental implant surgery is for you. However, implanting an artificial tooth always causes some pain. It is expected for a patient to get worried thinking about the pain they are going to experience before undergoing this surgery.

How Painful Is The Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental implant surgery involves gums and the jaw. The implant surgery should not involve any pain since the mouth will be numbed using anesthesia. However, patients will feel some level of pain as it wears off.

Most dental professionals suggest pain medication helps control pain in the implant area. In a few cases, post-surgery pain is mild enough that it can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medicine and does not need any prescribed one. Typically, a single implant will cause less discomfort than a surgery where multiple implants are put. Patients will have pain up to 10 days after the surgery, but the pain usually settles before 10 days.

If extreme pain continues after the 10-days, patients must contact a dentist immediately. Long-time pain may be a signal that the implant spot has become infected. In such a case, to save the implant, the dentist will have to operate fast.

How To Avoid Pain After The Surgery?

There are several ways to ease pain and discomfort during the 7 – 10 days of healing.

  • follow dentist instructions
  • take painkillers
  • use ice packs
  • bathe gums in salt-water
  • eat colder and softer foods
  • continue brushing/flossing

What Are The Different Types Of Dental Implants?

Over the years, titanium has been used as the metal used to make implants, & it is verified to be highly consistent with the human body. The two major implants are:

  • Endosteal: The most common dental implant technique where the tiny screw-shaped implants are held in the jawbone.
  • Subperiosteal: This sort of implant is positioned under the gum, though above the jawbone. For patients who do not have healthy jawbones & cannot undergo the augmentation process, this type of dental implant is best suited for them.

What Are The 3 Steps Of A Dental Implant?

  • Placing: The patient undergoes surgery to keep the implant placed in their jaw, where it is protected over with gum tissue and let blend into the jawbone for 4 to 6 months.
  • Attaching The dentist binds a post or abutment to the implant, and the gum tissue grows up around it. In some cases, the implant and post are put simultaneously. Regardless of whether or not they are set at the same time, the combination implant and post function as an anchor for the substitute tooth.
  • Crown: The dentist attaches a customized crown to the implant post.

Tooth Replacement or implants give positive results and last for a lifetime if maintained appropriately. You can expect some pain after the anesthesia wears off. However, it isn’t troublesome. Your dentist will probably suggest that you take an over-the-counter painkiller for any pain felt during the recovery process. You will never regret having dental implants, but you must follow every aftercare point mentioned by your dentist.

You may suffer pain for almost 10 days, but the dental implant is a lifelong solution to your dental issue. Have a word with the dentist near you in Cypress, and schedule an appointment to get a consultation on dental implants. Dental professionals are ever-ready to help you and solve every query you have.