subject: Dental Implants- The Most Complete Tooth Replacement Option [print this page] Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, a lost tooth is not the devastating event that it once was. By using dental implants, your dentist can anchor a replacement tooth directly to your jawbone. Doing this allows for the new tooth to function and look exactly like one of your normal teeth. After the procedure is over, you will not be able to tell the difference between your new tooth and your regular ones.
What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Implant?
The first step when undergoing any dental procedure is to consult with your dentist to go over your options. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. To be able to safely have an implant installed, you need to have enough jawbone and gum material to fully support the implant. If you are suffering from diabetes or heart disease, you will need to be evaluated on an individual basis to see if you can healthily get an implant put in.
Once you and your dentist have decided to install an implant, he or she will begin the process by inserting the implant, usually made of titanium, into the bone socket of your missing tooth. The implant is securely fastened directly to your jawbone. After this is completed, you will need to wait for your gum and jawbone to heal around the implant to completely anchor the implant in your jaw. This process usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks.
After your mouth is completely healed and the implant is secure in your mouth, your dentist will next attach a small connector post to the implant. To prepare the replacement tooth, he or she will take detailed impressions of your teeth and design the new tooth to fit in perfectly with your bite. The new tooth is then colored to replicate your existing tooth color and then attached to the connector post. After this is completed, you are free to start enjoying your new smile!
Prognosis After Getting Dental Implants Installed
As techniques have gotten better and dentists have become more seasoned working with dental implants, the process has become streamlined and more effective. Today, dental implant procedures have a success rate of up to 98%. In many cases, implants can last an entire lifetime. Much of this depends on how well you take care of your oral health after you receive the implants. Just like any other tooth, it is very important to brush and floss consistently to avoid plaque buildup around your new tooth and implant.
Unlike dentures, your implant will function just as a normal tooth. This means that you will have no problems eating or speaking. In addition, the maintenance only requires normal brushing and flossing instead of having to remove dentures and clean them every day.
To learn more about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, contact your Colorado Springs dentist today.
