Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Are you curious about dental implant surgery to improve your smile?

One of the first features that people are your teeth and their appearance can influence how others perceive you. Enhancing your smile builds your self-confidence and improves your oral health.

If you are missing teeth and aren’t sure if dental replacement surgery is right for you, here are some advantages of installing a dental implant, what you can expect when you see your dentist, and some tips on how to maintain your teeth after surgery.

The Advantages of Getting a Dental Implant

According to the American Dental Association, on average, there are more than 5.5 million dental implantations every year. If you’ve decided that you’d like to invest in cosmetic dentistry, you may be wondering if a dental implant right for you. Here are some advantages that you’d receive with dental implant surgery:

1. Dental Implants look and feel natural

When getting a dental implant, you should expect natural results. They look and function just like your real teeth, allowing you to eat and speak with ease without worrying about them shifting or falling out.

2. Dental Implants are durable

One of the biggest concerns about receiving a dental implant is the durability of the teeth. Having to repair or place your new teeth can be costly and time-consuming. However, with proper maintenance, your dental implant can last for decades, which is longer than other methods like bridges and dentures which you must replace every 5-10 years.

3. Dental implants have a high success rate

If you take care of your dental implants by practicing proper hygiene and regularly visiting your dentist, you should expect high survival rates for your implants. They are designed to last a lifetime and have maintained a success rate of around 95%, which is higher than many other teeth replacement options.

4. Dental Implants Provide Improved oral health

One of the best features about getting dental implant surgery is that implants don’t require you to file down your other teeth, unlike tooth-supported bridges. By not altering your other teeth, you don’t have to rely on them for support and structure. Also, with individual implants, it’s easier to clean in between your teeth.

5. Dental Implants protect your facial bones and improve the look of your jawline.

When you lose the height in your jawbone, you risk bone resorption and deterioration. Having your dental implant restores your jawbone structure by reducing the pressure on your other teeth, which would eventually cause a shift if not treated by the dental replacement. Furthermore, you are preserving your natural tooth tissue because you don’t alter your teeth to receive the implant.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Right for You?

As previously discussed, there are several advantages to getting dental implant surgery over other tooth restoration methods. They are placed in your jawbone, where they will fuse to the bone and serve as a root for your missing teeth. This prevents slip and damage, unlike other methods. Also, because they are made of titanium, they will not decay over time.

Knowing this, you may be wondering if you are a great candidate for implants. Of course, you will need to consult your dentist for the best method of tooth replacement but generally, dental implants may be right for you if:

• You have healthy oral tissue and gums
• You have enough bone in your jaw to secure the implants or you are eligible for a bone graft
• You don’t like dentures or are unable to wear them
• You do not have health conditions that would affect the healing process after surgery
• You have one or more teeth that will need to be replaced
• You are not a heavy smoker
• You will maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly

What to Expect While Getting a Dental Implant

Once you have decided on getting dental implant surgery, your dentist will help you create an individualized treatment plan. It will address your specific needs and educate you about the appropriate care of your dental implant.

During surgery, a titanium post is inserted into the socket of your missing tooth. As your bone and tissue heal, the implant fuses with your jawbone at the root of the implant, anchoring it into your jaw. This process can take around two or three months.

Once your implant has successfully bonded to your jawbone, your dental team will go back in to expose where the implant was inserted. They will insert a new component which will be attached to secure your new tooth.

Next, it’s time to create your new crown. To make your new teeth, your dentist will make a model of your bite. This will capture all of your teeth and how they are arranged within your mouth. The new tooth will be based on this mold and once it is created and the color is matched with your natural teeth, it is attached to the implant. Your replacement should look, feel, and act just like your natural teeth.

Post Surgery and Dental Implant Maintenance

After your tooth replacement, it’s natural to experience some swelling and discomfort. However, taking painkillers such as ibuprofen should alleviate any pain you feel. It’s important that after your surgery that you check-in regularly with your dentist, just to make sure that your implant is healing properly and adhering to your jawbone.

Once you get your implant, you need to make sure that your teeth are properly cared for. Brush and floss as recommended in your individualized treatment plan. Also, to reduce any bacteria and prevent infection, use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

Deciding to invest in dental implants is a big step. There are many advantages to getting dental implants and you should discuss with your dentist to see if this is the best tooth replacement option for you and your lifestyle.

San Antonio Dentist – Orsatti Dental

Located in San Antonio, the dental experts at Orsatti Dental have many years of experience in both dental implants, routine dentistry and dental restoration. If you’d like more information about what dental implants can do for you, contact Orsatti Dental in San Antonio today. The smile of your dreams is just a phone call away.