What to Consider Before Pursuing Dental Implants
Committing to a better, healthier smile is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, it’s a big step that requires thought and planning. If you’ve determined you’d like one or more dental implants to replace missing teeth, our Jackson, MI, dentists are here to help. But first, we’d like to brief you on the process so there are no surprises.
Here are a few things to remember before you decide to go through with the .
What Are Dental Implants?
Best explained as an artificial tooth root made of titanium, an implant is permanently embedded into the jawbone for stability and topped with a dental crown. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are not removable which means they do not shift when you’d rather they stay in place.
Many patients who have undergone dental implant surgery are pleased with their restored ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. The natural appearance of dental implants is also a major selling point. They blend so seamlessly with your smile that it’s often hard to tell when someone has had an implant placed.
If interested, our dentists can perform an oral examination and determine your candidacy for the procedure. If implants are determined to be a good fit for you, we will then speak with you and give you an idea of what to expect at every stage.
Keep in Mind That the Dental Implant Procedure:
1. Requires Sufficient Bone in the Jaw
Though the issue can be remedied with a , starting out with adequate bone to secure the implants does cut down on the time required for the entire procedure. This is because transplanted bone can sometimes take several months to grow enough new bone for a more solid implant base.
We will recommend a bone graft if your jawbone is found to be too soft or too thin in the area where the implant is needed. where the jawbone is weaker can result in a failed surgery which we do not want for our patients.
Whether there from the start or produced after a graft, it’s best to approach the implant procedure with a fully grown, healthy jawbone.
2. Results in a Long-Lasting and Reliable Restoration
Other tooth replacement options like full or partial dentures can become slightly worn over time and will inevitably need some adjusting. A dental implant, on the other hand, is built to last a lifetime if cared for properly along with your other teeth.
Learn More → Top 5 Tips for Fresh & Clean Dental Implants
There’s no need to worry about them falling out and no dental adhesives are required. The implant’s permanent placement in your jaw keeps them stable while you laugh with friends or enjoy a nice meal. It’s this reliability that also allows you to eat the foods you like without fear the implants will be affected.
3. May Take Months to Complete
No, this does not mean you are sitting in our Jackson, MI, dental office for months on end. It does, however, refer to the time dedicated to healing after the implant is placed but before the other components, like the CEREC crown, are put on.
Once inserted into your jawbone by our dentists, the implant will need to fully heal and fuse to the surrounding bone before additional steps are taken. This process of generating new bone in your jaw takes the most time as the actual implantation and crown placement are relatively straightforward.
Depending on how speedy your healing is, you could be waiting several months before your restoration is complete. While some may view this as inconvenient, many patients feel the outweigh the delay.
4. Isn’t as Painful as You Might Think
You might think that because the dental implant procedure involves some level of oral surgery that it’s intensive and painful. The truth is, the experience of having the implant placed is not much different than getting a cavity filled thanks to the administration of local anesthetic.
Our dentists and staff here at The Dental Experience want you to be comfortable during treatment. This is why in addition to numbing anesthetic, we can also provide you with dental sedation to put you further at ease. Discomfort during placement should be minimal, if present at all.
We Can Help Fill in Gaps In Your Smile
When dentures aren’t for you, dental implants are the next best solution to missing teeth. Our , can embed one or a few depending on your specific needs. All you need to do is call The Dental Experience at (517) 787-5367 to request an appointment and we’ll help you get started.
This blog post has been updated.