Improving your smile is an excellent investment that will help improve your confidence significantly. Dental implant placement is among the possible dental procedures to help restore your teeth. The option is popular, and your dentist will likely recommend it after thoroughly assessing your condition. You may have several questions about why dental implants are a trusted form of dental replacement procedures. If so, consulting your dentist before settling for the option is advisable, as you will be more confident about your decision.
What Dental Implant Treatment Entails
Dental implants replace missing teeth by introducing a metallic root and a fabricated tooth crown to replace the lost one. Usually, your dentist can handle a dental implant procedure in one sitting, provided your condition does not involve pre-treatment procedures.
Upon attending a consultation with your dentist, they will advise you on the best starting date to help you undergo dental implant surgery. Before proceeding, they also gather all necessary information about your medical history and why you need a tooth replacement. Doing so, they understand what to do and avoid throughout the treatment.
The replacement surgery begins with anesthesia on the area operated on to protect you from experiencing sharp pain. Afterward, the dentist removes the root from the missing tooth position if it is still inside the gums to introduce the metal abutment.
After clearing your gums in preparation for abutment insertion, the dentist will secure them and move to the second phase of the treatment. They will fix a crown on the metal abutment to serve as your new tooth. Notably, the replacement crown should be made of sturdy material to ensure it can withstand the pressure you apply during chewing or biting.
Once the placement is complete, you are ready to leave and begin the recovery process. Your dentist will provide an aftercare regimen that you should follow for faster recovery. Among the aftercare tips to observe is attending all your checkups, as they allow your dentist to establish whether your jawbone and gums correctly accommodate the dental implant.
Why Dental Implants are a Popular Option for Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are widely recommended based on the advantages you receive during and after treatment. Among them include:
They are Resistant to Cavities
Since the crown replacing your missing tooth is synthetic, it will be resistant to cavity and tooth decay complications. The primary reason for this is that the harmful chemicals that bacteria emit after synthesizing sugar in your mouth cause the degradation of living components. For example, your living dental crown is more prone to corrosion and decay, which worsens with extended exposure to bacteria.
Thus, you can worry less about experiencing complications, thanks to the porcelain or ceramic components that make up the crown. Despite this, you must uphold good oral hygiene because your other natural teeth are at risk of bacterial attacks. Hence, ensure you brush at least twice daily to uphold good hygiene.
You Retain a Natural and Comfortable Look
Many patients want to replace their missing teeth but still uphold a natural and comfortable look. Dental implants provide both these advantages, allowing you to retain your brilliant smile. The implantation process replaces your missing tooth in its exact position, and your dentist will undertake pre-treatment designs to match the original tooth.
Subsequently, you do not have to worry about adjusting to the new implants in your mouth, as they will take a natural shape. Nevertheless, you will need to uphold excellent oral hygiene, especially during your recovery duration, to protect the new implants from infections. Your teeth are sensitive during this period because the gum surrounding your implants is tender and often exposed to external factors. Thus, making an effort to reduce infection risks is necessary.
You Can Predict High-Quality Treatment Outcomes
Unlike many dental procedures, dental implant processes are quite straightforward and, therefore, predictable. They entail fixing the metallic root in place, connecting it to the crown,, and checking that the implant fits well in the jawbone. Thanks to this, you can worry less about the treatment causing complications unless undetected dental problems exist.
In comparison, other tooth replacement procedures like denture placement or dental bridge placement can cause unforeseen outcomes. These processes involve adjacent teeth, resulting in potential risk spread. Hence, you are more likely to enjoy the simplicity of a dental implant process, as you can anticipate a specific outcome and achieve it.
Little to No Interference With Adjacent Teeth During Treatment
As mentioned, dental implants only involve replacing the missing tooth in its original position using ceramic or porcelain crowns. Conversely, choosing dental bridges for teeth replacement requires your dentist to seal two or three adjacent teeth as a foundation for the dental bridge. Consequently, your healthy teeth may be at risk of complications and reduced functionality in pursuit of replacing one tooth.
Further, other replacement options like dentures may involve complete teeth removal to allow space for permanent denture placement. Thus, you may lose all your natural teeth, including normal-functioning ones, which is not always necessary. You can opt for dental implants to access more focused treatment to avoid this.
Dental Implants are Durable
Durability is an essential factor when assessing tooth replacement treatment options to reduce the possibility of repairs or replacements. Based on this, dental implants are an excellent option if you are looking for a durable tooth replacement solution. The porcelain or ceramic used to create the crown design is sturdy enough to withstand pressure during chewing or biting, so you can expect lasting solutions.
Similarly, your dentist will use a metallic abutment to place your new root that supports the crown. Notably, the root will adhere to your jawbone through a natural healing process, meaning that your dental implant is very close in design and functionality to your normal tooth.
Additionally, the inability of bacteria to destroy the synthetic crown and cause cavities or decay also adds to the durability element. Hence, dental implants have an overall advantage over other tooth replacement options that may lack the same durability.
The Treatment Allows a Fixed Tooth Restoration
When seeking a tooth replacement treatment option, you want a lasting solution that allows you to return to your normal life without worrying about continuous removal and restoration. Dental implants are beneficial because they do not require continuous removal and replacement, even when cleaning your teeth.
Subsequently, you enjoy the benefits of tooth replacement without additional maintenance. Further, you are less likely to damage the implant without removal, giving you access to longer-lasting treatment.
Reduced Risk of Losing Prosthesis
Moreover, you also enjoy the reduced risk of losing your dental implants thanks to the fixed tooth restoration you receive. Typically, patients are prone to accidentally losing or destroying their prosthetics when out of their mouth. They then have to meet the extra replacement costs that they may have yet to anticipate.
By having your dental implant remain inside your jawbone and as a normal tooth, you do not have to face risks that could attract extra costs. Hence, the treatment is suitable if you are looking to avoid any liabilities in the long term.
You Will Retain Your Speech and Chewing Abilities
One of the biggest worries for any patient receiving tooth replacement treatment is whether the new fixtures affect their speech or their ability to chew and bite. Speech may change temporarily or permanently in some cases if the tooth replacement fixtures interfere with your tongue during pronunciation. Further, you may be unable to eat comfortably if the replacement fixtures are too large or trigger pain in the mouth.
With dental implants, you can worry less about interfering with your normal life, especially after the jawbone and metal root adheres to each other. The implants will serve you like a regular tooth and will not affect your speech. Further, tooth sensitivity is not common after dental implant surgery, so you do not have to change your diet or avoid hard foods to accommodate the implants.
The Treatment Preserves Your Jawbone and Surrounding Tissue
Since dental implant treatment does not involve significant jawbone or gum tissue removal, you will enjoy their health preservation. For example, you are less prone to dental infections that may affect you after significant jawbone exposure or gums exposure to external conditions, including bacteria.
Moreover, once the metallic root fuses with your jawbone tissue, you do not have to worry about additional complications unless your tissue is sensitive to the material. If so, your dentist will replace the implant immediately and suggest a different treatment option or provide a healing allowance and redo the procedure later. You are at a lower risk of jawbone and gum tissue complications during a dental implant process than other treatment options.
Determining Whether Dental Implants is Suitable for You
If you are unsure whether to receive dental implant treatment, you can request additional information from your dentist and conduct personal research. The following findings will help you decide on whether you need dental implant treatment:
You Have a Missing Tooth
The primary problem dental implants resolve is replacing a missing tooth to restore your natural appearance. However, you are disqualified from the dental implant treatment if your tooth loss entailed partial crown loss only. If so, you can restore your dental structure through a dental filling on the crown to complete the tooth aesthetic.
You Suffer Complications from Missing Teeth
While you may be fine with your appearance even after losing teeth, you are at risk of suffering from additional complications. For example, a missing tooth can expose your gum tissue to bacteria, additional injuries, and inflammation. A tooth replacement using dental implants would be essential to seal the gap and protect you from possible complications.
Your Dental Bridge Needs a Replacement
If you have opted for alternative treatment using dental bridges, you may need a replacement for various reasons. For example, the dental bridge may have broken, or your teeth may experience intense pressure and movement from the dental bridge placement. Based on this, your best replacement option is undergoing dental implant treatment for a longer-lasting solution.
Your dentist will assess your situation to ensure that the missing tooth area does not have tissue or jawbone trauma and proceed with the treatment if it is safe.
You Struggle With Dentures Maintenance
Alternative tooth replacement options like dentures require intense maintenance regimens that you may struggle to uphold. Thus, you can opt for dental implants to help you reduce the chances of jeopardizing treatment by losing the dentures or accidentally destroying them. Notably, this may mean having dental implants fixed to replace your entire dental formula, so you want to prepare for the upcoming costs.
Choosing dental implant treatment is highly advisable, especially if you require a durable and lasting tooth replacement solution. Consulting your dentist about when to begin treatment is the first step toward restoring your smile and confidence.
The Cost of Dental Implants
Deciding on dental implants is quite advantageous, so you need to plan for costs accordingly. Typically, a dental implant costs between $900 to $1500 per implant. Thus, the overall costs vary depending on the number of tooth in need of replacement, as well as whether you will receive pre-treatment services.
Contact a La Puente Dentist Near Me
When you or a loved one decide to undergo dental restoration procedures, you may need information about the best options based on your condition. Consequently, dental implant surgery is an excellent option for anyone looking to replace their missing teeth, as you will enjoy a lasting dental fixture. Before going through the procedure, ensure that your dentist is well experienced in the treatment and that they have provided sufficient information about what to expect before and after the process.
With La Puente Advanced Dentistry, you enjoy quality dental services that aim to restore your oral health. Furthermore, you will be in the hands of experienced dentists specializing in treatment based on your needs. This way, you do not have to worry about botched procedures if you undergo dental implant treatment. For more information on dental implants and their advantages, call us today at 626-626-7075.
