Dental Implants: A Permanent Solution for Missing Teeth – Process & Benefits

Gaps in your teeth can cause your other teeth to shift and lead to problems with chewing, speech and nutrition. Dental implants replace the roots of your missing teeth and look and feel like natural teeth.

You can usually get implants if you are 18 or older and have healthy tissues in your mouth and jaw. You also need enough bone to fuse with the implant dentistry raleigh nc metal.

How Does It Work?

Dental implants are the strongest and longest-lasting option for replacing lost teeth. They look and function like natural teeth, and they stimulate bone growth to prevent future bone loss in the jaw.

Before surgery, we will take X-rays and 3D images of your mouth and jaw and make plaster models of your teeth and gums. We will also ask about your general health and review your medical history to determine if you have any risk factors for complications such as heart disease or smoking.

If you have inadequate bone structure, we may use a two-stage procedure to place the implant and allow time for fusion to the bone. We will give you medication to numb your gums during this process and you should expect mild discomfort or swelling afterwards; over-the-counter pain relievers can help.

Preparation

During an initial consultation with a specialized oral surgeon, the patient’s health history is reviewed and the procedure plan outlined. This includes acquiring detailed dental imaging and deciding which implant type and size to use.

If the patient does not have enough bone to support an implant, a tooth extraction and/or bone graft may be needed. This will increase the success of the surgery.

Once the implants are placed, the patient can choose between removable or fixed teeth that snap onto a metal frame attached to the implant dentistry raleigh nc abutment.

Those who choose fixed implants should maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease (peri-implantitis), which could compromise the long-term success of the artificial tooth. They should brush twice daily and floss regularly, and schedule regular visits to their dentist for professional cleanings.

Implant Placement

After a comprehensive dental assessment, including X-rays and a CT scan of your mouth, an oral surgeon will plan the surgical procedure to place the implant. The process is painless, thanks to local anesthesia.

An implant is a metal screw-like post that mimics the root of your tooth. It fits into the hole in your jawbone where a missing tooth used to be.

Once we have the implant placed, it takes time for your bone to grow around it. This is known as osseointegration. You may experience some discomfort, but it is manageable with prescription or over-the-counter medication. Some bruising, swelling, and bleeding are normal. You can minimize these side effects with ice packs and resting the area. It is important to follow our oral surgeon’s instructions.

Healing

Patients need to follow a few simple steps to optimise healing. This includes eating softer foods, avoiding hard or crunchy foods, and brushing carefully around the implant site to avoid disrupting it with aggressive or vigorous methods.

During the osseointegration process, bone cells grow in and around the implant dentistry raleigh nc, firmly anchoring it securely in place. Minor discomfort, swelling and bruising are normal symptoms that peak in the first few days after surgery but should fade as healing progresses.

The surgeon may prescribe medication for pain management. If not, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are generally effective for managing the initial discomfort. It’s also important to inform the dentist of any chronic illnesses or medications you are taking, as these can impact your body’s ability to heal following surgery.

Restoration

During your consultation we will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and study dental X-rays and 3D models of your teeth and jaw. If necessary, bone graft procedures can be performed at this time to ensure that your jawbone is healthy enough for implants.

The most common restoration involves a single implant and a crown to replace one missing tooth. We also offer a bridge restoration involving multiple implants for patients with several adjacent missing teeth and an overdenture, or implant-supported denture, that uses a series of implants to improve stability and function compared to traditional dentures.

Other options include a zygomatic implant (longer than standard implants) used in people with insufficient bone height in the back of the upper jaw, and a sinus lift or bone graft to increase the height of the maxillary sinus.