Dental Implant FAQ
West Hartford, CT
 Dental implants are an important part of repairing your mouth whenever you lose a tooth or multiple teeth. They are an artificial tooth root that can hold replacement teeth, crowns, and even dentures in place. A dental implant procedure has a lot of benefits that can support your oral health and your self-confidence with your smile. However, this procedure also brings with it a lot of questions about what it does and how it works.
Elmwood Dental dentists are going to help you. If you are wondering whether dental implants are for you, take a look at our dental implant FAQs to give you more of an idea. You can always get in touch and speak to our dental implant experts at Elmwood Dental if you have not found the answer to your question, or you would like to know more.
Do I Need To Replace A Missing Tooth?
If we do not have to worry about our permanent teeth falling out, then why seek to replace a missing tooth space? Maintaining the tooth space is important because it can affect how you speak and eat. A missing tooth is something that can change the entire structure of your mouth, and in some cases, if you lose a tooth, the bone that once held the tooth root in place can start to decay, weakening the structure of your jaw. This can then lead to more tooth loss or all of your teeth to fall out. What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the ultimate in tooth replacement options. A dental implant consists of three parts. The implant itself is placed into the jaw where it fuses with the bone, forming a strong platform on which to attach a crown (the replacement tooth) that is joined to the implant with a connector, which is the abutment. What Types of Dental Implants Are Available?
Single or multiple teeth can be replaced with dental implants. An implant-supported bridge can be used to replace three or more teeth in a row, and all of the teeth in an arch can be replaced with a permanent All-on-4® or removable implant-supported denture. In the former case, four implants are used to support an arch of teeth, and in the latter case, an implant-supported denture can also be supported on four implants, or more, if required. Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are one of the safest and most common procedures that our dentists do, and you will not have to worry about long surgeries or long procedures at your visit. We do not introduce a lot of foreign elements into the mouth, and instead, seek to promote natural bone growth beneath the tooth to ensure that the dental implant is safely secured.
What are the Health Benefits of Dental Implants?
It may surprise you to know that dental implants have health benefits. When a tooth is lost, the bony socket that surrounds the tooth root begins to resorb into the jawbone. Over a period of just one year up to 25% of bone can be lost. Bone begins to resorb immediately after tooth loss as part of the healing process. However, the jawbone also needs teeth to provide it with stimulation. Biting and chewing forces move the teeth slightly, down to the root, and this stimulates the jawbone to produce new cells to keep it healthy. A dental implant can help in both of these cases. As the dental implant takes the place of a natural tooth root, it prevents the jawbone from atrophying, as muscles do if they are not used. How Long Will A Dental Implant Procedure Take?
Placing a single, traditional dental implant is a two-stage process. During the first stage, the implant is inserted into the jaw. After placement, the implant and jawbone fuse together in a process called osseointegration. After at least three months the process should be complete. Thus, the next part of the procedure where the crown is attached to the implant can be carried out and the procedure concluded. However, all of the components of the All-on-4 procedure, including teeth extractions, insertion of implants, and attachment of teeth take place in the same session. This is because the rear implants in the All-on-4 are longer and positioned at a more acute angle to provide greater contact between bone and implant.
Is it Painful?
Whenever people hear about dental procedures, the first question that they ask is if it will be painful. However, we can give you some level of sedation or at least some level of numbing, and instead of making an incision in your mouth, we use lasers to provide enhanced speed and comfort. Depending on your case, and your situation, you could have one visit to several visits. Therefore, we can promise that every visit is painless and will cause you no discomfort. Who Is Unsuitable for Dental Implants?
For dental implants to be successful there must be enough bone in the jaw available to hold the implant. Unfortunately, bone loss is a common problem and may be caused by periodontal disease, or through tooth loss generally. Periodontal disease diminishes the jawbone and when a tooth is lost, the bone it was in contact with is not stimulated, resulting in it wasting away through disuse. Although bone loss may not necessarily preclude you from having dental implants, it will depend on where the bone loss is in relation to the dental implant. If bone loss is a problem, you may still be able to have dental implants. However, you will probably need to have an additional bone graft procedure, which will take place several months before the implant treatment. Smokers may not be suitable candidates for dental implants. Smoking decreases blood flow which provides essential nutrients to the cells in the body. This is particularly important for newly positioned implants to fight infection and speed the healing process. If the tissues around the tissue fail to heal properly, the dental implant may fail and will have to be removed. Contact Us to Find Out More!
Contact Elmwood Dental if you have any more dental implant FAQs. Schedule an appointment with a member of our team by calling us at (833) 432-1457. |
