You Should Replace Missing Teeth Using Dental Implants: Here’s Why
If you have missing teeth, there are no better tooth replacement options than dental implants in Bristol. Get to know more about dental implants.
Your teeth play a critical role in the process of digestion. Not only that but they also play an essential role in speech and maintain your facial integrity. Missing a few of your pearly whites will affect your life in a significant way.
Regardless of the number of missing teeth, dental implants in Bristol can help restore your beautiful smile. Dental implants near you have been restoring smiles for almost 60 years, which means it is a procedure that has been tried and tested.
Now, they have advanced so much, and they can be used to permanently replace a tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth as is the case with full mouth dental implants.
Truth About Implants
A tooth implant is a titanium post that is surgically inserted into your jawbone to replace your tooth and root. The screw-like posts, when fitted with proper crowns, will look and function like your natural teeth.
There are two types of implants: Endosteal and Subperiosteal. Subperiosteal implants are not as common as Endosteal. This is because they sit on top of the jawbone but under the gum line.
Endosteal implants are more common, and they are stable. They are typically made of three separate parts:
- The implant made of titanium which is inserted in the jawbone
- The abutment made of titanium that links the implant to the prosthesis (artificial tooth)
- The prosthesis, which is the visible part of the implant that functions as your teeth, usually a bridge, dentures, or crowns are used.
Who Can Get Implants?
Generally, you can be the right candidate to get implants if you:
- Have a fully grown jawbone
- Have missing teeth
- Don’t smoke tobacco
- Desire to improve your speech
- Can commit several months to complete the procedure
- Have healthy tissues
- Have healthy bone enough to secure the implant or are willing to get a bone graft
- Do not have health conditions which can hinder bone healing such as diabetes.
What to Expect
The tooth implant surgery is an outpatient surgery that has several stages, with healing time between certain procedures. The dental implants procedure is as follows:
Initial Evaluation
Since the implant surgery has multiple stages, our dentist has to perform a thorough evaluation of your oral cavity. It will include taking X-rays and looking for teeth models that will match your natural teeth.
Then our dentist will judge the condition of your jawbone, and it will take some time before the evaluation process is done. You will also be asked about your medical history to see if there are issues that need to be addressed.
Finally, you will be asked which type of anesthesia you are more comfortable with during the procedure.
During Surgery
Several steps are undertaken during surgery:
- The damaged tooth will be extracted if it has not already come out
- The jawbone is prepped, and grafting can be done if it is necessary
- After healing, the implant is inserted
- The jaw will have to heal again
- Then after healing, the abutment is screwed on the implant
- Finally, the artificial tooth will be fixed on top of the abutment
This process takes several months because you have to allow the bone to heal and the titanium to fuse to the bone. If the jawbone is not strong, do not expect the procedure to be a success, so you have to be patient and heal properly.
After Surgery
It’s normal to experience some discomfort. Here are some of the things to expect:
- Minor bleeding
- Bruising of the skin or gums
- Swelling of the gums and face
- Pain where your tooth was replaced
Benefits
The benefits of using dental implants are as follows:
- Long-Lasting
Implants are made from very durable materials such as titanium, which can withstand our biting force. They will not decay, and with proper oral hygiene, they can last as long as your natural teeth.
- Natural Looking and Comfortable
An implant was designed to look, feel and function like your natural teeth. Since they replace the whole tooth, including the root, they are very comfortable and do not move in your mouth.
- Retains Facial and Bone Structure
When you lose a tooth, there will be inevitable bone loss. This will also affect your facial structure. Since implants are inserted in the jawbone, they help to retain the bone tissue.
- High Success Rate
When planned and executed efficiently, they have an almost 98% success rate.
- Improved Eating and Chewing Ability
With implants, you do not have to worry about eating food, since they restore your ability to eat and chew. You can go ahead and enjoy your favorite meals.
You can contact our dentist at Admire Dental Bristol to schedule an appointment if you need an implant. We would love to help you restore your smile.