People lose their natural teeth for various reasons, including age, decay, gum disease, and injuries. Fortunately, dental care has advanced immensely in the last couple of decades, and there are numerous options to replace missing teeth. If you don’t want to consider traditional dentures, the next alternative is dental implants. Before you talk to your dentist in Pekin, IL, about dental implants, here are some FAQs you should check.
What exactly is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post, which works as a replacement root for the missing tooth. It works as the foundation for the replacement tooth, and the replacement tooth could be a bridge, crown, or removable denture.
What are the components involved?
Getting dental implants requires surgery. Your dentist will place the implant in the jawbone, and the jawbone will heal in a few weeks and secure the post in place. There is also an abutment, which is like a connector that is screwed to the implant and shows a little over the gums. It works as the base for your new artificial tooth. The final component is the replacement tooth.
What is the procedure for getting dental implants?
On the day of your surgery, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the gums. If you want to go for sedation, let your dentist know in advance. Next, they will make a cut in the gums, which will expose the bone where the implant will be placed. They will create a small hole in the jawbone using special instruments, following which they will place the implant. The incisions are then closed with stitches. The recovery time can extend to several months, depending on the condition of the patient, after which they will get the replacement tooth. The time could be longer if the patient needs a bone grafting procedure.
How painful is getting dental implants?
You won’t feel pain as the procedure involves using local anesthesia. Many clinics in Pekin also offer sedation dentistry, which helps with anxiety and other concerns. After the procedure, there might be some pain as the anesthesia effects wear off, but your dentist will usually recommend medications to manage them.
Are dental implants durable?
Yes, dental implants are highly durable, often lasting a lifetime with proper care and regular dental checkups. You may need to replace the restoration products, such as crowns and dentures, every ten to fifteen years.
Why should patients consider dental implants?
There are several advantages of dental implants. Firstly, dentures or crowns placed on the replacement roots don’t move around, and you have much better comfort than with standard dentures. Also, you don’t have any diet or other restrictions. When you lose a tooth, there is a rapid decline in bone mass, and losing many teeth can change your facial structure. Neither traditional dentures nor dental crowns can fix the concern. However, dental implants become a part of your mouth and prevent bone loss.
Are there any concerns?
Not every patient can get dental implants, and a lot depends on their health history and the overall condition of the jawbone. Also, the process is time-consuming. Compared to dentures, which can be ordered and adjusted in two to three appointments, getting new teeth with dental implants can take significant time, which means you have to bear with the healing period. Your dentist will discuss the risks unique to your case during the first couple of appointments.
With advanced tech and the experience of a reputed dentist in Pekin, you have little to worry about getting dental implants. Book an appointment today and get your questions answered before you agree to the treatment.
