Many people are unaware of how dental implants work. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about them.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants, also known as dental bridges, are used to replace missing teeth. In most cases, they consist of metal posts that are screwed into the jaw bone to hold artificial teeth in place during restoration or replacement. They have become a standard treatment for replacing single missing teeth. Although they can be used for filling multiple teeth at once (called simultaneous implant placement), only one implant is required to replace a tooth.
The Ideal Metal for Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of metals. Titanium is ideal for dental implants because it is considered biocompatible, which means it has a low chance of causing an allergic reaction or rejection by the body. Additionally, titanium is less susceptible to corrosion caused by bacteria in the mouth.
What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure?
Typically, patients undergo three stages of treatment: preparation, bone grafting, and implant placement. The first stage of the procedure involves cleaning and preparing the jaws for surgery. Patients may be given antibiotics and steroid medication to reduce swelling and pain after surgery and to increase healing time. A local anesthetic is also administered to minimize pain during surgery.
After bone removal, a thin layer of new bone is laid over the existing bone to encourage healing. Next, a dentist cleans and prepares the gum tissue and jawbone with a chemical called methylcellulose. Bone grafting may be needed if the jawbone has been damaged or weakened by disease or injury. After surgery, patients may need oral painkillers for pain or anti-bacterial mouthwash for treatment of infection.
How Long Does the Dental Implant Procedure Take?
Upon completion of preparation, tooth implant placement takes less than 45 minutes from start to finish once the anesthetic is administered by an anesthesiologist. In some patients, it may take longer if any special care is needed.
What Happens After the Implants Are Placed?
Once dental implants are placed, they usually heal for about four to eight weeks. During this time, patients are required to practice good oral hygiene and prevent food particles from becoming stuck in the implant’s supporting structures. Once the implant is fully healed, dentists can begin building natural-looking crowns that blend into the surrounding teeth.
At Advanced Dentistry Center, we offer a wide range of dental services at affordable rates. We are providing world-class care homes to our patients. Whether you want a dental implant or looking for a dental examination in Bingham Farms, you can reach out to us. We also offer dental fillings, root canal treatment, and other periodontics services.