Replacing Your Teeth with Dental Implants 

Missing teeth are unsightly, and they can damper your appearance. However, more than that, gaps in your gums can cause your surrounding teeth to shift to the available spaces. Plus, your bone deteriorates and weakens your dental structure. Replacing your teeth is, therefore, not only a cosmetic procedure but also restorative. A variety of dental solutions from dental bridges to veneers are available, but for a long them solution, implants are the ideal option.

What Are Teeth Implants?

Teeth implants are metal posts made of titanium and are surgically fixed to the jawbone to support the artificial teeth. Implants are available in different options depending on your dental condition.

• Endosteal implants are the traditional form which is placed on the jawbone
• Subperiosteal implants are ideal if you lack the required bone density to support the posts. The titanium screws are fixed beneath the gums, but above the jawbone
• Same-day implants are fixed in one dental visit. They are recommended if you have enough jaw bone and have healthy tissue. However, these implants have a 75 percent success rate and can cause dental complications.
• All-on-4 posts are perfect for people with multiple teeth missing either on the upper or lower jaw. Four implants support the artificial teeth.

Is The Teeth Implant Procedure Painful?

No, as the dentist will numb your gums and teeth to reduce any discomfort. Dental sedation may also be used if you have a phobia, anxiety, and gag reflex. The dentist can use nitrous oxide, oral, intravenous, or general sedation according to your anxiety level and dental procedure.

How Are the Metal Posts Fixed?

The implant surgery procedure is done in steps:

• Dental assessment

On your first dental appointment, the dentist will examine your oral health, bone density, and also check the eligibility. Dental implants are not for everyone, and you must meet certain requirements such as healthy gums and teeth, enough bone density, and appropriate age.

If you have sufficient jawbone, the dentist will proceed to the next step; if not, a bone graft procedure is done to rebuild it.

Enough bone density is needed to support the implants; otherwise, they would fail. A bone graft treatment uses bone granules either from your body or other sources to promote new bone growth. A bone graft can take between nine and 12 months for the bone to be ready for the implant surgery.

• Fixing of the titanium screws

This procedure can be done either on the first dental appointment or later. The dentist will numb your gums, drill, and fix the implants—a process that will last for an hour.

The osseointegration process (implant fusing to the bone) is essential to the successful artificial teeth placement.

• Placing the connector or abutment

An abutment is needed to connect the implants and the crown. The abutment is also surgically fixed, but the process is fast and can be done in an outdoor setting. A dental impression is taken to the lab to mold the dental crowns.

Finally, after the jaw heals, the dental crown will either be cemented or screwed in place. The dentist can set up a follow-up appointment to check gum tolerance and condition.

Are There Complications?

The implants have a high success rate (95 percent). However, at times problems can arise that will cause them to fail.

• Nerve failure
• Bruising and swelling
• Infection
• Rejection of the teeth implants. This only happens when the body rejects the implants when the osseointegration process fails. If this happens, the dentist can perform another procedure or recommend a different treatment.

How to Take Care of the Teeth Implants?

It’s essential to take care of the new dental implants as you would your natural teeth. These implants mimic your natural teeth in appearance and function. Continue your oral hygiene practices, have regular dental checkups and professional cleaning.

Schedule an Appointment

Teeth implants are long-lasting, but you need to be eligible to get them. Visit Confluence Dental Wenatchee, and our dental specialist will assess your dental situation and recommend a suitable treatment.