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Are Dental Implants Common?
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Tooth loss is a prevalent issue. Because of this, dental implant use is also a common practice. There are various reasons why so many individuals are turning to implants to replace their missing teeth or those the dentist can’t save, including:
- To replace individual missing teeth: Many individuals find themselves with a broken or decayed tooth that restorative dental work, such as root canals, crowns and fillings, can’t save. They end up needing to have the tooth removed before infection begins spreading.
- To replace multiple teeth: Since dental implants are incredibly sturdy, they’re successfully used for stabilizing dental bridges.
- For their reliability: One dental implant that’s taken care of properly can last the patient’s lifetime. Dental implants typically last a lot longer than other dental restorations.
- For their appearance: Implants are made to look like natural teeth, making them very aesthetically pleasing.
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Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dentists have used dental implants for many years, and implant technology continues to advance. Today, dental implants are sophisticated devices that highly trained professionals put in place. They’re one of the most reliable ways to replace missing teeth.
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How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?
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While discomfort can vary between people, most individuals report getting their dental implant was much less uncomfortable than they anticipated it to be. During the surgical, dental implant procedure, the dentist will give you an anesthetic, so you should feel minimal discomfort if any.
They’ll use gentle techniques, and since the environment they’re working in is clean, there’s little risk of infection. If you follow the dentist’s post-operative instructions and take the prescribed antibiotics, you should experience minimal discomfort. Your dentist will likely prescribe you pain medication as well, but many individuals don’t use them.
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How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?
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A few factors determine the dental implant procedure timeline. They are:
- Your dental health
- Which teeth are replaced
- The number of teeth involved
- If you’ll require a tooth extraction before the implant placement
The dentist restores your mouth with an implant in two phases and the entire process can take around three to nine months. It could take even longer if you have an extraction that has to heal, or if you needed bone grafts before the dentist implanted the posts.
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How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can You Have an Implant?
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The dentist places dental implants in your jaw by making precise holes in your bone so that they fit snuggly. They do this where your teeth are missing but where you have adequate bone to hold the dental implants. In some cases, it’s possible for them to place dental implants on the same day your dentist extracts your teeth. Typically, however, it takes around three to six months of healing before you can have your implant placed.
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Can Your Mouth Reject an Implant?
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Very rarely does an individual’s body reject an implant. The jawbone usually readily accepts the dental implant. The very few rejections are due to rare allergies to the titanium alloy that make up the implant. Another reason why an implant could fail is if you don’t take proper care of it after your surgery. Without excellent oral hygiene, natural teeth fail and fall out eventually. Dental implants are no different. When you take good care of your teeth and your implants, it will help prevent gum decay and structure failure later on.
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How Long Does It Take for Dental Implants to Heal?
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The average implant process occurs in multiple steps. You may require more than one healing stage. So, there’s a varied healing period, depending on your health, how many teeth you need replacing and other factors. However, the healing process generally takes anywhere from six to 12 weeks.
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Who Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
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To be a good candidate for implants, you need to have good oral and general health. You also need to have adequate bone in your jaw to support the dental implant, be free of periodontal disease and have healthy gum tissues.
In general, you may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
- Have one or more teeth missing
- Have enough bone for securing the dental implant or can have a bone graft
- Have a fully grown jawbone
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Are unwilling or unable to wear dentures
- Don’t have a medical condition that would affect bone healing
- Would like to improve your speech
- Can commit a few months to the process
- Don’t smoke or are willing to quit
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Can You Turn Dentures Into Implants?
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No, dentures can’t be “made into implants.” Dental implants are metal screws the dentist places into your jawbone to help support and anchor your artificial teeth (dentures). It might be possible for your dentist to place the implants beneath existing dentures to help stabilize and support them. However, the dentist can only do this if your existing dentures are in excellent condition. The dentist will examine your existing dentures to determine their condition.
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How Long Do Implants Last?
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Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly by regularly brushing, flossing and following your dentist’s recommendations. While your dentist can’t guarantee the lifetime success of an implant, they can provide you with suggestions and guidelines on how to take good care of your teeth. They’ll base these guidelines on:
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How Much Do Implants Cost?
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This is a complicated question since the answer will depend on your specific situation. In obtaining this answer, you’ll learn more about your specific needs. Your dentist can give you a more accurate assessment of the costs of your procedure.
The cost of dental implant treatment will depend on various individual factors, including:
- The amount, quality and location of bone
- The number of dental implants you’ll need to support the teeth
- The number of teeth that need replacing
- The type of artificial teeth the dentist will use
- The types of dental implants used
- This is something you can discuss with your dentist during your initial consultation.
