What Are Dental Implants?
The dental implant treatment is a medical device that is surgically installed into the patient’s jaw. This treatment is best for restoring the person’s ability to smile and chew their food. Dental implants provide the support needed to install artificial teeth like bridges, crowns, and dentures.
Are Dental Implants Common?
Not too long ago, patients who suffered from tooth loss only had the option to choose from dental treatments such as dentures or bridges, but they have a new, very popular option. Almost three million individuals in the US alone have opted to treat their oral issues using dental implants. This crowd is growing each year by at least 500,000. So yes, dental implants are very common nowadays.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
The procedure of dental implants is perfectly safe as dentists have been using this method for over 30 years. Most of the patients that are in good health face almost no risk of major type or dental complications or issues because of the dental implant treatment.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of getting dental implants, on average, ranges from $3,000 to $5,000; this cost includes the post, abutment, and even the crown placement. But this cost doesn’t include the expenses of tooth extraction, bone grafting, CT scan, and X-ray. To find the most affordable dental implants, try to contact all the nearby dental offices and get their quotes.
How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?
This treatment requires dental surgery. The dentist numbs the mouth/jaw of the patient, meaning they will feel nothing during or after the surgery. But as the local anesthesia wears off, the patient will feel some level of pain.
How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?
The procedure of dental implants takes about 1 to 2 hours, while the recovery time because of the surgery takes about 3 to 6 months. The titanium alloy used for joint replacement and the implant itself will mend around and merge with the bone tissue surrounding it. No other medical implants that require load-bearing come close to this level of fast healing and recovery time.
What Is the Downside of Dental Implants?
While dental implants sound like the best option to go for, keep in mind that there are some downsides to them. Patients who opt for this treatment have the risk of getting infected, damaging their other healthy teeth, further delaying their bone healing, damaging the nerves present in their jaw, facing bleeding problems, and more.
What Is the Upside of Dental Implants?
Almost every patient describes the feeling of dental implants as similar to how their original teeth felt. That’s because this dental treatment fully restores the chewing power of the patient they enjoyed when they had their natural teeth intact. Patients say that dental implants feel so natural that it’s hard to tell the difference. This treatment also lasts you a lifetime; get it once and never worry about it ever again.
What Can I Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?
Some of the best foods that patients can include in their diet are smoothies, ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, pudding, mashed potatoes, broth, creamy soups, fruit shakes, and any other soft/liquid foods that don’t require chewing. Dentists recommend patients stay away from consuming foods that need a lot of hard chewing.
How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can You Have an Implant?
If you recently got your tooth or teeth removed, you cannot get dental implants for another two or three months. Dentists created the waiting period to allow your gums to heal properly. In case your exposed wounds catch an oral infection, your dentist will need to deal with that before planning your dental implant.
Can Your Mouth Reject an Implant?
The dental implant rejecting a patient’s mouth is typical because of negligence from their side in terms of postoperative trauma, home care, or dental hygiene. The misaligned teeth of the patient can also reject the treatment. Dentists report that the smoking habits of their patients might be the reason they experienced dental implant rejection after everything went smoothly.
What Can You Not Do After Dental Implant Surgery?
During the 24 hours right after getting the dental implants, the patients should stay away from too hot or too cold beverages and foods. They should also avoid eating things that require a lot of chewing.
Can You Remove Dental Implants or Do They Stay in Your Mouth?
No, dentists surgically install dental implants into the jaw of the patients; they can’t remove them.
Can You Turn Dentures Into Implants?
Yes, dentists can, in some cases, turn the patient’s dentures into implant dentures.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Originally, dental implants are a permanent solution that can last the patient for about 20-30 years. Their lifespan directly depends on how well the user maintains, cleans, and cares for them.
Will Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Yes, there are some insurances that provide coverage for dental implants. Keep in mind the type of treatment you require finding the best plan and receiving the coverage providing the most value.
When should you not get dental implants?
Since dental implants impose a heavy burden on the jawbone of the patient, it needs to be in a healthy state for it to work. In case the patient suffers from chronic illnesses like leukemia or diabetes, dentists might deem them unfavorable candidates for this treatment.
Why do so many people prefer dental implants?
The primary reason people love dental implants is that they function, feel, and look exactly like natural teeth. This type of treatment allows them to smile, engage in social activities, and eat what they like once again without the worry of them encountering oral issues.
Can any dentist provide my dental implant?
Almost every dentist can perform the professional surgery required to install the dental implants into the patient’s bone structure. It is possible that some dentists might be less experienced than periodontists and oral surgeons in performing dental implant placement.
How long does it take to replace teeth using dental implants?
Patients who need to replace a single missing tooth using dental implants can expect the procedure to take about 12 weeks.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Here are a few things you can practice caring for your dental implants:
- Clean your teeth and dental implant at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Make sure the toothpaste you use is low abrasive.
- Brush all around the implant crown to remove the plaque and tartar buildup.
- To reach hard places, you can use a nylon-coated interdental brush.
- Use an implant-specific dental floss.
- Try using an oral irrigator that your dentist recommends.