Dental implants are titanium posts that provide a sturdy foundation for crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.
Dental implants don’t rely on your existing teeth for support. Instead, they are placed in your jaw bones. Following placement, your bone integrates into surface crevices of the implant and reached the state of “bsiointegration”, the fancy term for the fusion of implants to your jawbone.
Dental implants provide various benefits compared to traditional prosthetics such as bridges, partial and complete dentures.
Dental implants also improve your oral health. Maintaining and cleaning a single implant is much easier than cleaning around and underneath a traditional bridge. Many patients’ ability to taste and feel the texture of food is lost when they wear full or partial dentures. Dental implants give that sensation back to them so they can fully enjoy their meals. With less acrylic covering the gums, there is less chance for common fungal infections related to wearing dentures and partial dentures. And last not least, when missing teeth are replaced by implants the existing teeth will not be overburdened carrying the workload of the missing teeth hence, they can stay stronger and healthier for longer time.
If you’re missing some or all of your permanent teeth, you’ll likely benefit from dental implants. However, it’s important to have good oral health. If you have insufficient bone volume or periodontal disease, Dr. Mandy might recommend a bone grafting procedure or treatment for gum disease like scaling and root planning before moving forward.
Let Dr. Mandy know if you smoke or have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease. These issues won’t prevent you from getting dental implants, but they can increase your risk of complications during surgery or recovery.
Getting dental implants typically takes 4-6 months and involves few appointments spaced several weeks apart.
At your initial consultation, Dr. Mandy conducts an oral exam, reviews your oral health history, and asks about your treatment goals. She then takes oral X-rays to get a closer look at your jawbones and remaining teeth structures.
After gathering all the necessary information, Dr. Mandy develops a custom treatment plan, mapping out the placement of your implants.
Dr. Mandy doesn’t do dental implant surgery herself. Instead, she coordinates care with her oral surgeons and periodontists who place your dental implants during a quick outpatient procedure. Before operating, your provider administers local anesthetic to numb your gums and bone.
Once the anesthesia sets in, your oral surgeon places a series of metal posts –– one for each missing tooth –– into incisions in your gum line. After surgery, you return home, and your mouth heals within 2-4 months.
Once the integration of implant to your jaw is confirmed by the surgeon, you’ll return to CityZEN Dental. Dr.Mandy then takes impressions and sends them to a laboratory that manufactures your implant crowns, implant bridge, or implant-supported dentures.
Two weeks later, you’ll return for your final appointment. Dr. Mandy attaches your crowns, bridge, or implant-supported dentures to the metal posts in your mouth, restoring your smile to its healthy, near-original condition.
Dental implants are sturdy and often last a lifetime. If you break, chip, or otherwise damage your crown, bridge or denture, Dr. Mandy can repair or redo the restorative part. In rare situations when implants fail you might have to go back to the surgeon for replacement or some antibiotic therapy, along with scaling on the affected area. To ensure the health of your precious implants Dr Mandy highly recommends that you keep your 6 months checkup appointments and refrain from smoking. To learn more about dental implants, schedule an appointment at CityZEN Dental.