Getting Dental Implants for Missing Teeth

You can lose your teeth due to infections or accidents. When you have missing teeth, you can have chewing and pronunciation difficulties. Also, missing teeth on your jaw can affect your smile and lower your self-confidence. Therefore, you can consider getting replacements for the missing teeth to manage the above dental problems.

If you have lost teeth on your jaw, your dentist might recommend dental implants. A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium screw that your dentist uses to replace the root of your missing tooth. Your dentist places the dental implant on your jaw, where it integrates with the bone for stability.

Why Do You Need Dental Implants?

When you seek dental implants near you, your dentist will surgically place them to replace the teeth’ roots. However, dental implants might not be suitable treatments for you. Some of the reasons you might need dental implants include:

Have one or more lost teeth
Evidence of a jawbone that has reached full growth
Presence of adequate jawbone to hold your dental implant
Healthy oral tissues
Don’t have a health condition that might affect bone healing
Unwilling or not able to wear dentures
Willing to commit several months for the dental implants treatment process
Don’t smoke or willing to stop using tobacco
Want to improve your speech and pronunciation

Types of Dental Implants

When you consider getting dental implants in Morrisburg, ON, your dentist might recommend the following types:

Endosteal. Endosteal or full-sized dental implants are treatments that your dentist places in the jaw. Such dental implants are suitable for people who have enough bone for the treatments.
Subperiosteal. Such dental implants resemble the traditional or endosteal ones. However, the mini dental implants are smaller and have a ball-shaped head. When getting such dental implants, your dentist will place them over the jawbone but under the gum.

Mini dental implants would be suitable for people who don’t have enough jawbone for invasive surgery.

Dental Implants Procedure

When you are getting dental implants, your dentist will begin by examining your teeth. The dentist can take dental x-rays to check the condition of your jawbone. If you don’t have enough jawbone for a dental implant, your dentist might recommend bone grafting first.

During the consultation, your dentist can ask you about your health and medication history to prevent complications during and after surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to be open and honest about your medical history.

Next, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the site of treatment. If you are getting full dental implants, the dentist might administer anesthetics on multiple sites. After administering anesthesia, your dentist will cut an incision through the gum and jawbone and place the tooth implant.

After getting the dental implant, your dentist will allow you to go home to allow it to heal. During the healing period, your tooth integrates to your jawbone for stability. Healing can take up to three months. Therefore, your dentist will schedule another visit after healing.

During the second visit, your dentist will place the tooth cap or dental prosthesis and make necessary adjustments.

After Dental Implant Surgery

After the dental implant surgery, you might experience some discomforts. However, the discomfort should not persist for days. If swelling and pain persist for days, you can consider contacting your dentist.

For fast recovery after dental implant surgery, you can consider the following:

Use antiseptic mouth rinses to prevent bacterial infections at the site of treatment
Consume soft foods that don’t require chewing to avoid irritating the treated site
As you heal, you can brush your teeth without irritating the site of treatment
Avoid smoking since it hinders recovery

During the recovery period, your dentist or oral surgeon might prescribe some medications for pain. If you experience swelling, you can place an ice pack over the swollen area.

Aftercare

Dental implants are permanent treatments. However, some factors might reduce the lifespan of your dental implants. To prevent your dental implants from damage, our dentist in Morrisburg Dental recommends the following:

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly
Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects
Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports to prevent dislodging your tooth implant
Visit your dentist regularly for dental exams and professional cleanings