You will be surprised to know that dental implants are more common than you thought. With several people consuming alcoholic beverages, fast foods, and smoking, it has taken a toll on dental hygiene. As a result, many people have lost their teeth to decay and are looking for implants so that they have a beautiful set of teeth to flash the perfect smile. There is no dearth of dental implants dentist Tampa and you can easily get an appointment if you wish to replace your chipped or decayed tooth. However, before getting a dental implant, you should get an overview of the entire procedure so that all your fears are addressed. This guide provides you with all that you wanted to know and more…
- A dental implant replaces your original tooth roots with metal screws on which the artificial teeth are made from metal, dental porcelain, or high-quality acrylics are attached. Unlike dentures or bridges which are usually used to replace several damaged teeth that lie close to each other, dental implants are usually used to replace an individual tooth that is far apart from each other.
- The duration and complexity of the dental implant procedure depend on the type of implant required and the condition of the jawbone. This is generally done with the assistance of X-rays. Usually, people who have lost their teeth many years back, end up losing bone mass and therefore require a bone graft prior to the dental implant. This increases the time taken to get a new tooth. Apart from this, tooth impressions need to be taken and the exact color of your teeth needs to be matched so that the implant blends with them to give a natural look.
- If you are already missing a tooth, the procedure involves merely implanting the titanium screw and the crown to replace the lost tooth. However, if the process involves extracting a damaged or broken tooth, the time increases due to the minor procedure. Tooth extraction is usually done using local anesthesia and there are certain precautions that need to be followed like avoiding smoking, blowing nose, drinking through a straw, etc.
- Dental implants are of two types; one is inserted in the jawbone, while the other is directly inserted under the gumline. If the jawbone is strong, the implant can be inserted into it without the addition of extra bone, else a bone graft is done prior to the dental implant. This is important as the jawbone needs to be strong enough to chew as well as protect the implant.
- An abutment is placed over the implant once the latter is stable. The abutment helps connect the crown and the implant and needs to be tightened for stability. This process is also done under local anesthesia. Many times, the abutment is placed simultaneously with the dental implant. In that case, you might have to get a healing cap to mask it.
- Once the gums have healed from the dental implant and abutment procedures, the artificial tooth is added. The crown can be a removable or a permanent one. The removable crown can be taken out and cleaned like a denture, while a permanent one is fixed using dental cement and can be cleaned along with your natural teeth.
Living without teeth can be problematic and getting an implant maybe your best option. Though it may seem a painful and costly procedure, the result is extremely beneficial, especially in the long run.
