If teeth are lost due to an accident, tooth decay or the ageing process, this can place more strain on the remaining teeth in the mouth and have a negative impact on one’s health. Even a single missing tooth can have an impact on the way you bite and chew your food, as well as having a detrimental effect on one’s appearance. In the past, the main dental treatments available for this problem were dental bridges and crowns. However, modern dentistry affords patients a more modern, cost effective and long lasting solution through dental implants.
What are dental implants?
An implant is used to replace missing teeth and will act as the root portion of your tooth. This means that implants needs to be combined with a crown or bridge for the process to be completed – but this does provide a sturdier, more reliable solution than just getting a crown or bridge alone. The aim of the treatment is to create a tooth replacement that has the appearance, feel and function of a natural one. The good news is that a dental implant can hold in place more than one crown or bridge.
How can I get the treatment?
You will first need to find a dentist who provides dental implant treatment. Once this is done, in order to assess if you are a suitable candidate, the dentist will carry out a series of examinations and X-rays, to ensure the treatment has a good chance of success. Issues such as gum disease, if identified during this stage, will need to be remedied before proceeding. If you are found to be suitable for treatment a more thorough clinical analysis will be carried out and the treatment can then begin.
What is the dental implant process?
The first phase of the treatment is where the dental implant is implanted into the patient’s jawbone under the gum. Local anaesthesia will be used to ensure the patient does not feel much pain during surgery. This process can take one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case, and a temporary tooth will be provided to fill the tooth gap.
The second phase of treatment is biological integration, or osseointegration, in which the implant is left to integrate with the jawbone for a period of 8-12 weeks. There will be some initial discomfort during this time, but the healing process will proceed swiftly.
The third phase is where the implant is checked to make sure it has properly integrated with the jawbone. If this is the case, the dentist will take moulds of the patient’s mouth for the creation of the bridge or crown to be attached to the implant. Once this is done the tooth replacement can be cemented or screwed in place.
What else do I need to know?
The cost of dental implants can be significantly higher than alternative treatments, but the longevity and reliability of results makes it a worthwhile investment. You should not expect results over night, though, as the healing process alone can take around three months. For patients who are particularly worried about experiencing painful symptoms during the treatment process, many dentists now offer sedation.
The team at Ollie & Darsh in Liverpool have provided this guest post and continue to educate patients about the latest implant treatments.
Name: Suzy Gorman
Google+ authorship link: https://plus.google.com/114551825098964905620/posts?rel=author
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