They say a smile is worth a million words, but what if your smile is incomplete? At Beyond Dental Health, we want you to feel your best when you smile which is why we specialize in dental implants.
Dental implants are a great option for people with missing teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are some of the most common causes of tooth loss. Our experienced dentists and specialists at Beyond Dental Health custom-make implants to fit your unique mouth. They are designed to look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth.
Not only do dental implants give you the confidence of a beautiful smile, they also help promote your overall oral health. We want to give you some more details here about what to expect when it comes to dental implants.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
When you have missing teeth, there are a number of health issues that can result. By waiting to replace a missing tooth, you can develop gum disease which could potentially lead to other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Not replacing a tooth also has a huge impact on your bite. Your surrounding teeth may start to shift toward the open hole causing them to become crooked. Even worse, your surrounding teeth may also start to fall out.
Therefore, it is very important to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants are the best solution for this problem and the easiest to maintain. Unlike dentures, bridges, and crowns, dental implants are a long-term solution for teeth replacement.
The Implant Post
When you first see a dentist they will want to take an X-ray of your mouth to examine all your teeth and your jawbone structure. After a dentist evaluates your mouth and decides that dental implants are the best option, they will custom-make the implant to fit comfortably in your mouth.
The patient will be put under local anesthesia during the procedures. During the surgery, the dentist will replace the tooth roots with a metal, screw-like post. Beyond Dental Health uses a titanium implant post placed where the missing tooth is. This screw will fuse with the jawbone to ensure that the restoration won’t slip or move.
After any surgical procedures, pain medications may be prescribed to make the patient more comfortable during the 2 to 3 days that follow the procedure. Check with your dentist prior to any oral surgery if you are concerned about your post-operative care.
After your implant post is inserted, it will take some time for you to fully heal. Your bone must heal tightly around the implant post to ensure it won’t move. It will take a couple of months for the bone to fully secure the post.
Placing the Implant
After the healing period, it is now time for the dentist to place the dental implant restoration on top of the post. The dentist will decide on which type of replacement is best suited for you. Depending on your needs, the dentist may choose a bridge, crown, or partial denture to fill in any gaps. Whatever the dentist chooses, the implant is custom-made to look great with the rest of your teeth and fit comfortably in your mouth.
The great thing about dental implants is they require no special treatment. Because they are anchored in place, you will not have to worry about your implants moving which can happen with dentures. To ensure you don’t face any problems with your replacement teeth, make sure to practice proper care of your oral hygiene, see your dentist regularly, avoid chewing on hard items, and avoid tooth-staining products. With proper oral care your dental implant is designed to last your lifetime.
To find out more about our dental implants or other aspects of implant dentistry, schedule a consultation by calling our office at (781) 293-2128 or visit our website.