A dental implant is a procedure where an artificial one replaces your old, decayed, damaged tooth by inserting it into your jawbone. Depending on the strength that your jawbone provides to the foundation, the recovery time may vary. It is not a major surgery, as most people may think.
Five Reasons Why Dental Implants are Good for You
The safety aspect: Dental implants are the safest option because they never come out after the surgery. Moreover, it protects your tooth from various other possible dental problems. The procedure or the dental implant doesn’t have any negative effects whatsoever on the adjacent teeth.
Usefulness: Once the implant process is over, you may perform all activities like chewing, smiling, talking as you did once with your original teeth.
The maintenance aspect: You may be amazed to know that these implants are so hard and durable that they need almost no maintenance once they are fitted. Only brushing and flossing are all that is needed.
The cost factor: Compared to the benefits you will derive from the dental implants, what you will pay is completely justifiable. Also, it is an onetime investment (per teeth).
Improved quality of life: These implants look so natural that it is hard to notice which ones are the original and which not. Thus, they provide you with inner confidence while smiling or interacting with others.
Steps Involved in a Dental Implant
The following are the main steps involved in a dental implant:
Preliminary check-up: This is done by your dentist to determine whether this surgery can be performed on you or not at that particular time. Some common blood tests and x-rays are done to collect the relevant data.
Preparation for dental implant: Once the tests performed and the dentist confirms that you are good to undergo the procedure, you can fix an appointment according to your convenience.
Site preparation: Before inserting the implant into your jawbone, space is created, and the osteotomy size is increased with the help of miniature drilling tools in the jawbone. This is also known as site preparation. You may feel gentle vibrations in your mouth during this process.
However, it is not painful. Once a predetermined space is created in the jawbone, a titanium device is placed and secured. Then the gum tissue is sutured and left to heal. A temporary crown is fitted on the top during the recovery period.
Osseointegration: After the implant is inserted successfully, the process of healing begins. This may be a time taking process as this is the period when the implant and the bone merge slowly into one unit. This is the most important process and is known as osseointegration.
New tooth replacement: The process of osseointegration may take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. Once it is done, you are ready to get your new tooth replacement. Your dentist will take the required measurements, and new teeth are fabricated accordingly and then fitted.
The dental implant process is very simple, but a bit of time taking. However, having a little patience will help you in the long run. If proper care is taken, these implants can last lifelong too.
