Are Dental Implants Safe or Not?
What Are Dental Implants?
They are oral appliances for replacing lost teeth in dentistry. Dental implants in Coopersburg, PA, are small titanium metal posts that must be erected in the jawbone to replace lost teeth. In essence, dental implants replace tooth roots only. Therefore, dentists at Coopersburg Dental must use other oral appliances to complete the tooth restoration process. Typically, dentists use dental crowns to complete the implantation procedure. However, a dental crown is only suitable for crowning one tooth implant at a time. In the case of multiple tooth replacements, denture implants are more appropriate.
What Does the Procedure for Placing Dental Implants Look Like?
The one thing you should know before getting tooth implants is that surgery is mandatory. An implant dentist can only replace your tooth through surgery. The dentist will cut open the gums, then drill the jawbone to make room for the dental implant. Afterward, (s)he erects the metal post in the jawbone, then sews the gums to hold the implant in place.
The final phase of a dental implant procedure happens in a separate dental visit. Your dentist will require you to go home and rest for about three months before proceeding with any other dental work. On the last dental visit, the dentist will crown the tooth implant.
The entire dental implant procedure is long. Its timeline typically ranges between 5 and 12 months. It depends on your healing pace along with other treatment protocols necessary for a successful implantation procedure.
Why Are Dental Implants So Popular?
Many patients today are gravitating toward oral implants more than ever before. The reason is that more people are becoming vocal about their oral needs thus increasing their involvement in treatment protocols. Some of the reasons why people are opting for dental implants over their counterparts are:
- A permanent solution to tooth loss – dental implants are surgically implanted in the jawbone so that they do not fall off after a few wears.
- Durability – many recipients of dental implants have had them for over 25 years. With proper dental care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- Biocompatibility – even though metal is involved, you do not have to worry about allergic reactions after getting dental implants. The titanium material is biocompatible, meaning it integrates perfectly with natural bone tissue to become one with your oral cavity.
- Sturdiness – over the years, dental experts have not yet come up with a dental restoration that rivals the strength of natural teeth. However, dental implants come pretty close since they feature both roots and crowns, as is typical of natural teeth. The support from the jawbone and gums makes dental implants a sturdy solution for tooth loss.
- Aesthetic appearance – dental implants are very life-like, thanks to the porcelain material for crowning them. Besides, oral implants offer reinforcement to facial muscles, supporting them so they promote a fuller and youthful facial appearance.
- Preserving bone tissue – an inactive jawbone results in bone tissue loss. Dental implants are the perfect solution for bone loss because they necessitate the regeneration of new tissue around the titanium metal post.
Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?
Although implants for teeth have drawn a lot of attention over the years, they are not for everyone. A dentist would require to perform a comprehensive dental exam to determine your suitability for such an intense dental procedure. Some of the factors that may disqualify you from a dental implant procedure are:
- Gum disease – gingivitis and periodontitis may influence the success of a dental implant procedure.
- Bone degeneration – occurs when the bone tissue disintegrates over time. It could happen due to periodontitis but can also be a result of an inactive jawbone. Other factors like cancer or arthritis can also compromise the health of your jawbone.
- Heart diseases – especially if you are under blood thinners for a prolonged period to manage your heart condition.
Even with several factors that may hinder a successful implantation procedure, if you must get dental implants, liaise with your dentist to resolve the problem. Several patients with limiting factors such as these have received dental implants successfully.