Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, but they are a serious procedure. It’s important to know what you’re getting into before deciding on implants. Here are 5 things you need to know before getting dental implants.
Do Your Research About The Procedure
Dental implants are a big investment in your oral health and smile, so it’s important to understand the details of the procedure before going ahead with treatment. Dental implants involve minor surgery to place small titanium screws into your jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth. The screws fuse with your jawbone over several months in a process known as osseointegration. Once fully integrated, abutments and custom crowns are placed on the implants to create natural-looking replacement teeth. However, the procedure does require time, patience, and diligent aftercare to achieve the best results. Do your research to understand the entire process and know what to expect during and after your dental implant procedure.
Choose An Experienced Dentist
Dental implant placement is a highly technique-sensitive procedure. Choose a dentist with specialized training and extensive experience in implant dentistry to perform your procedure. An experienced dentist can properly assess your oral health, bone density, and the quality of your remaining teeth to determine if you need any additional procedures prior to implants. They will also have a skilled team and access to the latest dental technologies to provide you with the most advanced treatment possible. With experience, comes the ability to adequately plan your entire treatment to achieve an optimal outcome with dental implants. Look for a dentist with a proven track record of many successful dental implant cases.
Consider Zygomatic Dental Implants If You Have Severe Bone Loss
For patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw, Zygomatic dental implants may be an excellent solution to provide stable anchorage for implant crowns. Zygomatic implants are longer than regular implants and are anchored to your cheekbone to provide support. Your dentist will access your zygomatic bone through your upper gums and anchor the long zygomatic implants to provide support for your upper jaw implant crowns where bone density is inadequate for regular implants. Zygomatic implants often only require one anchor point on each side of your upper jaw but can support several implant crowns. They provide an effective solution for patients who previously had no options for fixed teeth replacement.
Recovery Can Take Several Months
The recovery process after dental implant surgery does require diligent aftercare and can take between 2 to 6 months for the implants to fully integrate with your jawbone before placement of the abutments and crowns. The exact timeline depends on specific factors like your oral and general health, bone density, and the number of implants being placed. It’s important to give yourself ample time to heal after your surgery and attend all follow-up appointments with your dentist. Temporary teeth may be placed on your implants during the first stage of recovery. Your dentist will advise you on cleaning the temporary teeth and limiting the types of foods you can eat during recovery to avoid damaging the implants.
Achieve Excellent Oral Hygiene
To keep your new dental implants and natural teeth in good health, excellent oral hygiene is essential. Follow a strict dental hygiene regimen including brushing your teeth at least twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush, flossing daily, and using prescription mouthwash. Your dentist can advise if additional cleaning aids like interdental brushes are necessary for you. Limit sugary and acidic foods that can damage tooth enamel and cause decay. Quit smoking or any kind of tobacco use if you are a smoker. Visit your dentist for professional dental cleanings and oral examinations as recommended. With diligent hygiene and professional care, dental implants can last your lifetime.
