So, your doctor recommended a dental implant. You might have hundreds of questions about dental implants like how much it will cost, or what you should expect from the surgery, or how long is the procedure.
Though the doctor may answer all the questions you have about the procedure, there is a chance that you might not think about the crucial questions until you left the dental office. Does this mean your questions will remain unanswered? Don’t worry, we are here to help you.
In this post, we have summarized the information shared on this expert implant dentist website among others, and have answered the most frequently asked questions.
What Is A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is one of the most common dental procedures. In simple words, it is a replacement for missing or broken teeth, irrespective of the reason. In this procedure, a threaded titanium screw is implanted as a post in the jawline under your gums. After the post is in place, the replacement teeth will be mounted on it.
There is a common misconception about dental implants that makes up the whole replacement tooth. The dental implant only replaces the root and the dentist places a crown on the top of the root.
When is The Right Time to Get an Implant?
Well, you should make an appointment with a reputable dentist like those at North Cardiff Dental & Implants, for example, as quickly as possible once you lose your teeth. The success of the implant is dependent on how strong your jawbone is. With the passage of time, your bone decays and wears down. This causes your structure to become weak. In such a circumstance, you might need bone grafts before the implant.
Hence, it is advised to consult a dentist as soon as you lose your teeth.
How Long Will Dental Implant Last?
When taken proper care of dental implants, they can last up to 40 years. If you brush and floss every day, the implant will last for a lifetime. There is no guarantee by the dentist how long it will last; however, they will recommend and give guidelines for taking better care of teeth.
Why Should You Get an Implant?
A dental implant is recommended to patients who have one or more teeth missing. There are plenty of difficulties caused by a missing tooth such as a problem in eating or chewing. Many people believe it is for aesthetic purposes, but when the teeth are missing, oral health is also affected. Since there are gaps, remaining teeth will not get the incentive required for growing.
After getting the implants, you will not have to deal with the struggles of gaps. In addition, you will feel more confident, become more social, and will go out more often without the fear of an uncomfortable situation. If you want to have a beautiful smile, eat solid foods, and be more confident, then you should get an implant.
Is Surgery Painful?
For some patients, it might be painful, and they might take over the counter medicines. In case, more than one implants or bone grafts are required, there will be discomfort after the operation. The dentist will prescribe pain medication if necessary. Depending on how the procedure is, the dentist might decide to use which anesthesia to use.
How Long Will It Take to Place an Implant?
In the case of a single implant, it might take at least 30 minutes. If the surgery is complicated or requires multiple implants, it might take 3 to 4 hours. Once the implant is placed, you will have to schedule for follow-up appointments for many months. This is to ensure the implant is given plenty of time to heal and fuse with the jawbone.
Will Smoking Negatively Affect the Implant?
If you smoke, the dental implant is four times likely to fail. This is because smoking can lead to gum diseases and recession. It will weaken the structure, eventually, the implant will fail. So, it is advised not to chew or smoke tobacco.
Is Anybody Rejected for An Implant?
Mostly, the jawbone accepts the implant. In some cases, the body might not accept the implant, but this happens very rarely. If your jaw doesn’t accept the dental implant, this might be because of titanium allergy.
Moreover, the dental implant might fail due to a lack of oral hygiene. When you don’t take care of your teeth, your gums will decay, and the structure will fail.
We hope, now, you have a better understanding of dental implants. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch with our customer support experts.