Considering Dental Implants for Your Missing Teeth: Here’s What to Expect

You may have received information dental implants are the best solution to replace your missing teeth. The information you received may have detailed how dental implants appear and function like your natural teeth restoring your mouth’s functionality and appearance after implant placement. The information may have encouraged you to visit dental implants near me to know more about this excellent option for replacing missing teeth.

You have undoubtedly decided to have a replacement solution for your missing teeth that lasts for a lifetime. However, do you know what to expect when having implants placed in your mouth? This article provides all information about the dental implant procedure to help you make an informed decision. Please continue reading to educate yourself about the process of having dental implants.

Your First Consultation

During your first appointment with dental implants in 77379, the implant dentist will thoroughly evaluate your mouth and take x-rays. The dentist will discuss the various implant options you can have and create a customized plan for your implant placement surgery. You can leave the dentist’s office after scheduling an appointment for implant placement.

Placing The Dental Implant

During your next scheduled appointment, the implant dentist with dental implants in Spring, TX, places the dental implant in the area of the missing tooth in your jawbone. The dentist administers local or IV sedation to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. Every patient’s experience will vary, but most report less pain and discomfort than expected. People getting dental implants even return to work the next day. Post-operative surgery discomfort is similar to any other dental surgery and may include swelling, bruising, bleeding, or pain. However, the dentist would have provided recommendations for over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to help you alleviate the discomfort.

Osseointegration

Osseointegration is the process where the implant and your jawbone integrate to form a durable and long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth. The method of osseointegration requires a few months, but you can carry on with your regular life. You are restricted to a diet of soft foods during the initial weeks to ensure your implants heal correctly. In some cases, your dentist provides temporary teeth to close the gap in your smile during this period if you prefer.

Placing the Abutment

After the titanium implant integrates with your jawbone, a tiny connector called an abutment is placed on the titanium post just above the gum line. Sometimes the abutment is placed during implant placement surgery, eliminating the need for an additional surgical procedure.

Customizing And Attaching Your Artificial Teeth

Your dentist takes impressions of your mouth and your natural teeth to have your customized artificial teeth prepared. Your artificial teeth can be a dental crown, implant-supported bridge, or dentures to hold multiple replacement teeth, all attached to the abutment.

You will be happy when you get the fake teeth in your mouth to close the gaps you displayed for quite some time. However, the dentist provides instructions on maintaining your implants and dental health in optimal condition to ensure you don’t fall prey to implant failure.

During the implant placement procedure, you must visit your dentist several times for follow-up checkups. Depending on the number of implants you have or the type you have chosen, the entire procedure requires three to nine months. Meanwhile, you must visit the implant dentist periodically to ensure the healing process is proceeding smoothly.

After artificial teeth are placed on the implant, and you receive instructions on caring for them, you must be diligent with your dental hygiene routines. You must not be overwhelmed when informed dental implants don’t decay, and the need to be concerned about cavities no longer follows you. However, you must exercise caution and maintain your dental hygiene in optimal condition.

Dental implants do not decay, but you are still susceptible to problems like gum disease that affect you when you let plaque buildup develop on your teeth and below the line. Gum disease can result in implant failure. Therefore besides practicing optimal oral hygiene routines, you must include six-monthly dental visits for cleanings and exams. Dentists detect plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth to remove them and to leave your mouth feeling fresh without any infections.

You go through an overwhelming process to have dental implants in your mouth. Why waste your entire effort to allow implant failure to affect you by neglecting the basic oral hygiene practices? Keep up with your dentist’s instructions to have the artificial teeth in your mouth for as long as you wish.