Dental implants are long-term tooth replacements that are anchored in the jaw bone. They help preserve the bone and significantly reduce bone resorption.
To determine if you are a candidate for Dental Implant Louisville ky, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon will perform a physical exam and obtain panoramic X-rays and 3D CT scans.
How Does It Work?
Dental implants are small, titanium posts that replace missing teeth. They are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they act as artificial tooth roots to support artificial replacement teeth (called restorations). Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, implant-supported crowns or full arches of artificial teeth stay in place in your mouth, improving your chewing and speaking abilities.
Your dentist creates a treatment plan that takes into account how many teeth need to be replaced and the condition of your remaining natural teeth and jawbone. Your dentist may need to perform a bone graft to increase the thickness of your jawbone before performing surgery.
During the implant procedure, your surgeon gives you local anesthesia or sedation and makes a cut in your gums to expose the bone. The surgeon uses specialized tools to prepare the site and inserts the implant metal post. They close the incisions with stitches that either dissolve on their own or are removed during follow-up visits.
What Are the Benefits?
Dental implants are a state-of-the-art tooth replacement treatment. They look and feel more like your natural teeth and may be more comfortable than dentures or bridges. They also help preserve bone tissue and prevent the deterioration of adjacent natural teeth caused by missing tooth roots.
In addition, Dental Implant Louisville ky don’t require the cutting down of healthy surrounding teeth as do traditional dental bridges. This helps maintain the health of your remaining teeth and enables you to enjoy more nutritious foods.
Another important benefit of dental implants is that they don’t cause a gap in your smile, like a sunken appearance, as can happen with traditional dentures. They can also restore your ability to chew, allowing you to eat a full range of foods without pain or difficulty. Finally, they are known for their longevity and durability. With proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, dental implants can last a lifetime. They are a cost-effective investment in your long-term oral health.
How Much Does It Cost?
Dental implants are more expensive than other tooth replacement options, but they last a lifetime and reduce the need for repairs or replacement over time. In addition, they don’t slip or cause bone damage like dentures do.
To determine if you’re a candidate, your oral professional will examine your teeth and gums and may use diagnostic dental X-rays to find out the condition of your jawbone. If you are, they will create a treatment plan.
The cost of your dental implant depends on the type and number of restorations you need. Titanium is the most common material for Dental Implant Louisville ky because it’s durable and blends naturally with the jawbone. But some patients are allergic to titanium, so hybrid ceramic zirconia is an alternative. In addition, the location of your practice and the dentist’s experience affect the cost. For example, specialists charge more than general dentists. Moreover, additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifts add to the overall expense.
What Are the Risks?
Dental implants are a safe and durable way to replace missing teeth, but like any surgery, they carry some risks. The most common risk is infection at the implant site, which can be prevented by following your dentist’s instructions for post-surgical care. The other big risk is that the implant will fail to fuse with your bone, known as osseointegration. This can occur due to infection, poor healing, or mechanical overload.
Other possible complications include nerve damage, which can cause pain or numbness in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin; sinus problems, such as a perforation of the sinus cavity if an implant placed in the upper jaw pokes into one of the sinus cavities; and bone loss around the implant, which can happen if you don’t brush or floss adequately. Gum disease, especially advanced periodontitis, can also negatively impact implant results.
Dental Implant Louisville ky are considered very safe when performed by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. However, the procedure can be complex, and risks must be weighed against the benefits to ensure patient safety. Conducting thorough informed consent discussions and providing patients with clear information about risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options can help reduce the likelihood of complications.