A Dental Implant as a Tooth-Replacement Option

A dental implant is one of the most popular oral prosthetics used nowadays. It is the only option that gives you an artificial tooth and root that functions just like the real one did. It provides a permanent solution for missing teeth that allows patients to forget they even have an artificial tooth.

Who can get an implant?

The installation of implants requires oral surgery and that means the patient needs to be healthy enough to recover from the procedure. People with chronic problems that affect the immune system, or conditions like diabetes, might not be eligible for the treatment. The same goes for anyone who consumes alcohol or tobacco products regularly.

Patients also need to have enough jawbone tissue to hold the prosthetic in place. Those with limited bone tissue can bolster it with a bone graft. Of course, this increases the amount of time it takes to get implants since the patient will need up to three months to recover from the grafts.

During the initial consultation, the dentist will closely look at the patient's medical history and current health before deciding if implants are right for them.

What goes on during the implant procedure?

A local anesthetic is usually administered at the start of the treatment. This is done to ensure the patient remains comfortable throughout the experience. The dentist might have to make a cut into the patient's gums so they can reach the jawbone. A small hole is then drilled into the bone tissue and this is where the implant is inserted. It is pushed in until the friction created by the bone tissue surrounding it securely holds it in place.

The incision is closed back up to complete the first stage of the treatment.

During the second procedure, which typically takes place around six months after the first, the incision might be reopened so an abutment is connected to the implant. This is used to connect the implant to a crown. That typically ends the process. The patient might be scheduled for follow-up appointments so their progress can be monitored.

Once implants have been successfully crowned, the only care they require is good oral hygiene and biannual visits to a dentist.

The benefits of implants include:

• It can last the patient the rest of their life
• Implants function just like real teeth, so there is no adjustment period
• Implants keep the patient's jawbone healthy
• Implants are virtually indistinguishable from real teeth. Only the dentist will know the wearer has an artificial tooth
• Implants can be used to hold other prosthetics like dentures and bridges in place
• Replacing a missing tooth with an implant keeps the remaining teeth properly aligned

Get your tooth replacement

Replacing a missing tooth with a prosthetic one has never been easier. Thanks to devices like implants, you can now get an artificial tooth that looks and feels like a real tooth. You also get a tooth that can last the rest of your life. Contact our clinic today to learn more.

Request an appointment here: https://www.sacramentosleepdentist.com or call Dental Excellence of Greenhaven at (916) 293-0504 for an appointment in our Sacramento office.

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