Dental implants are tooth root replacements surgically inserted into the jawbone and provide a strong foundation and support to the original or removable (artificial) teeth. Dental implants generally consist of titanium metal and look just like natural teeth as they blend with the teeth’s original color. Dental implants Toronto restore tooth functionality and prove to be a successful alternative to dentures or bridgework when they do not fit well in the mouth.
The orthodontists recommend dental implants to people who usually have:
- One or more missing teeth.
- Full-grown jawbone.
- Adequate bone to anchor the implants.
- Good general and oral health.
- Healthy oral tissues
- People who maintain oral hygiene.
People between 18 to 30 years old are more likely to have dental implants if they have damaged or dysfunctional teeth. People with poor oral health, decayed gums and not enough jawbone should not go for dental implants. Such people should get dentures or dental bridges instead.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have numerous benefits and are worth the time, costs, and effort as they effectively revamp your oral health. One of the biggest advantages of dental implant is that it effectively improves your chewing power. They have several other benefits, including:
- They can last for a lifetime if a person takes good care of his oral health.
- Implants restore the chewing abilities of people.
- Dental implants keep the adjacent teeth stable.
- They prevent premature ageing and facial sagging.
- Implants can ward off various gum or periodontal diseases.
- Dental implants look just like your natural teeth and also prevent bone loss.
After getting dental implants, people can feel improved chewing abilities, better speech, and restored appearance. Ultimately though dental implants, people can uplift their self-confidence or self-esteem.
The Main Procedure of Dental Implants
Getting dental implants is a comparatively complicated procedure and may take 3 to 10 appointments to complete and is basically a three-phase process. The entire treatment process generally requires 5 to 8 months, but it depends on the severity of the dental complications of patients.
- In the first step of the dental implant treatment, the dentist accesses your oral condition through a series of X-rays and examines your jawbone, gums and structural support around your teeth. He also evaluates your preexisting medical reports to minimize the risks of errors during the treatment.
- After that, in the next appointment, the dentist places an artificial root into your jawbone and allows it to heal for some period. This appointment usually takes 1 to 2 hours, and the healing time is between 3 to 6 months. During this period, the titanium alloy merges with your surrounding bone tissues.
- In the third appointment, the dentist places the crown or artificial tooth into your jaw. During this process, the dentist takes an impression and sends it to the dental lab so that the artificial tooth is created according to the shape, size, and color of your original teeth.
Costs of Dental Implants
The estimated costs of dental implants generally fluctuate depending on various factors, including the severity of dental issues, the number of teeth to replace, your region, the experience of your dentist, and the quality of dental implants. However, the approximate costs of dental implants are around $3000 to $5000, but these charges are inconsistent.
Dental implants are screw-like structures, and their procedure generally includes post, abutment and crown replacement. All of these factors are covered in these charges. Moreover, some clinics also provide dental implant treatment under dental insurance, but patients still have to finance a specific portion of their treatment as dental insurance does not fully cover the charges.
Risks of Dental Implants
Although dental implant surgery is very beneficial and gives successful results, it still has some downsides that should considered before the treatment process. Sometimes people who have undergone implant surgery encounter several dental problems, including:
- Severe and persistent pain after getting implants.
- Swelling in the infected area
- Nerve damage
- Prolonged bleeding
- Jaw fracture
- Damaged roots
However, these are very uncommon factors in the dental implant treatment process and have an occurrence rate of 5 to 10%. Most people do not encounter these problems if they have chosen an experienced dentist and followed all the preventive measures after getting their surgery done.
If people do not take care of their implants, they may also face issues like implant loosening and excess space or gaps in teeth due to loosened implants. The unwanted gap in the teeth can also lead to other oral problems like the accumulation of bacteria and trapping of food particles. So, it is really necessary to follow the aftercare prescribed by your dentist to minimize the above-mentioned issues.
Is Dental Implant Surgery a Painful Procedure?
During the procedure, the patients are usually under the effect of sedation, and dentists numb their affected area; that’s why they do not feel any kind of severe pain sensations.
However, after getting the treatment done, they feel tenderness in their gum, mild pain, discomfort, or swelling, but these temporary side effects and subside in a few weeks. The people generally resume their normal functioning of life in the first week. If they do not experience any severe side effects after the surgery.
How Long Can Dental Implants Last?
Once dental implant surgery is done, they can last for a lifetime without complications. Dental implants are the most long-lasting dental procedure, but they must be taken care of. After getting the treatment done, people should follow a good oral hygiene routine and brush or floss their teeth daily. People should also avoid having some food items that can deteriorate or damage them. The implants, like extremely hard or sticky foods, should preserve their quality.
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Can Dental Implants Get Decayed?
Dental implants do not get decay as they are not susceptible to cavities like our natural teeth. These implants usually comprise porcelain or metal material in their composition. So bacteria or microorganisms cannot affect them; that’s why they can last for a lifetime. Dental implants are an ideal alternative or replacement for lost or missing teeth. They look and function just like the original teeth and provide people with improved chewing abilities.