Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the accessibility of obtaining them and their effectiveness at filling in for your natural teeth. In this post, I’ll be answering a couple of common questions regarding dental implants and also showing what to expect from a procedure.
What exactly are dental implants?
Dental implants are essentially artificial teeth. They are implanted into the mouth and jaw and are often used to replace teeth that you’ve lost as an adult. Dental implants are made to look as natural as possible so that they can blend in with the rest of your teeth.
Why should I consider dental implants?
People get dental implants for a number of different reasons. In most cases, it’s to replace missing teeth to make it easier to chew foods, to improve your confidence in your appearance or if you just want to avoid wearing dentures and are looking for a more permanent solution for your missing teeth.
However, like any medical procedure, there’s always a possibility of facing risks. While there are some issues and complications that could occur, they are extremely rare and your dentist will likely walk you through these considerations before going through with the procedure. For example, there’s a very low risk of infection around the area of your implant. However, a reputable dental surgeon will minimize that risk and give you peace of mind.
What can I expect during the procedure?
The procedure is usually very straightforward and your surgeon will likely walk you through the process to help you understand it better.
- First, any damaged teeth that you want to replace will be removed if they are in the way of your implant.
- Your jawbone will then be prepared for the surgery. This is because the implant will go directly into your jaw, so it may require some bone grafting.
- Once the jawbone has healed, the implant will then be inserted into the gum line and anchored to your jaw.
- After, your jaw will be given time to heal as the surgeon places the abutment (the part that screws into the implant) and attaches your artificial teeth on top.
Getting dental implants can seem daunting at first, but the procedure itself is incredibly simple and straightforward. The process can take place over several weeks or even months, but it’s arguably one of the most effective ways to permanently replace missing teeth.
Are there complications after the procedure?
Most people will face discomfort immediately after the surgery. In addition, your face and gums might be swollen or bruised for a little while, causing a bit of pain or even minor bleeding at the site of the implant. However, most of these symptoms will go away after a couple of days.
However, in the event that they get worse, it’s worth contacting your dentist immediately to see if it indicates any larger issues, such as a gum or tooth infection that occurred during the procedure. While the chance of this is low, it’s still worth examining.