Understand Dental Implants As A Solution To Replace Missing Teeth

Dental Implants – Resolution For Missing Teeth

Living with missing teeth can do more than only harm one's self-esteem. It can make biting and speaking more difficult, and it can induce healthy teeth to migrate into the space left by missing teeth, causing jaw pain and lifelong bone loss. The most efficient technique to address this issue is to replace lost teeth with dental implants. For patients who are missing one or more teeth, dental implants are an excellent option. They are a more permanent alternative than bridges and dentures, which can be more unpleasant and difficult to keep up with. Patients should do some research before arranging visits. Begin by learning everything there is to know about dental implants in the sections below.

Types of Dentists That Place Dental Implants

If the fundamental question is what kind of dentist does dental implants, the answer is a little more nuanced. General dentists occasionally do implant implantation surgeries, although they often do not have any further intensive training. Patients who choose to consult general dentists for implants should ensure that they have undergone continuing education courses in order to successfully place them. It's also worth noting that, even with more training, most general dentists don't place many implants and lack the in-depth understanding required to do more difficult implant treatments.

Cosmetic dentists are frequently adept in implant restoration but rarely in implant placement. As a result, it is never advisable to seek sophisticated surgical treatments from a cosmetic dentist. In such instances, it is preferable to consult with an implant dentist.

Periodontists are frequently referred to patients who have lost teeth owing to severe gum disease and/or bone loss. These specialists receive additional training in detecting and treating gum, tooth, and bone problems. Prosthodontists receive specialized training as well, but their focus is on repairing or replacing teeth. As a result, they are an excellent choice for individuals who are missing teeth in the front of their mouths and do not require gum disease treatment prior to implant placement.

Oral surgeons receive the most advanced training of any dental practitioner. As a result, they are highly skilled in executing a wide range of dental procedures, including dental implant implantation and soft and hard tissue grafts. Patients who require specialized treatment before receiving dental implants, as well as those with compromising medical problems, should consult an oral surgeon.

Why Get a Dental Implant?

There are numerous options for replacing missing teeth, but dental implants are today considered the gold standard by professionals. Dental implants have a success record of about 95% and are remarkably close to natural teeth in appearance and function, so patients will not detect any difference. They offer a long-term treatment that does more than merely prevent good teeth from moving to fill gaps in the jaws. Dental implants can assist to decrease or prevent bone loss caused by missing teeth. Furthermore, dental implants are long-lasting, require no particular care, and are simple to clean. Patients who choose this option can eat all of their favourite foods without fear of hurting their dental prostheses.

The Implant Procedure

Although each situation is unique, all dental implant placements are considered surgical procedures. The good news is that these simple operations do not necessitate general anaesthesia. Instead, the dentist will apply a topical anaesthetic before numbing the area with a localized alternative such as lidocaine.

After numbing the patient's mouth, the dentist or oral surgeon will screw the titanium implant post into the patient's jaw bone. During a natural process known as osseointegration, the implant post will merge with the jaw bone. Osseointegration might take between 10 and 12 weeks. The dentist will then place a custom crown onto the abutment to provide the patient with a prosthetic tooth that is as sturdy as the original.

Unfortunately, certain situations can make dental implant placement more difficult. Patients who have been missing teeth for years, for example, frequently have diminished bone mass. As a result, individuals may require bone transplants, which are procedures in which an oral surgeon adds hard tissue to the affected area. The bone transplant will strengthen the bone sufficiently to sustain an implant. When necessary, a bone graft treatment can extend the healing process by a few weeks.

Schedule an Appointment to Begin

Patients considering dental implants should first consult with their primary dentists. Patients should seek a different provider if their regular dentists have not received the additional training required to place dental implants securely and successfully. The best approach to get all of the specialist care needed to put and maintain a dental implant is to visit a dental practice that provides general dentistry and periodontal services.