Receiving a dental implant can help individuals overcome embarrassing aesthetic oral issues or, in some cases, regain the ability to perform vital activities such as talking and eating. Imagine Dental, which provides family dentistry services to the residents of Ahwatukee and the greater metro Phoenix, Arizona regions, invites our current and prospective patients to read this brief blog providing an overview of a dental implant and the responsibilities associated with owning the said structure.
Dental Implant Definition
Dental implants are replacement roots that are inserted inside your mouth to provide the foundation for the installation of new teeth that are tailor made to fit your mouth. These oral structures are often necessary for individuals who have lost teeth for any number of reasons.
Advantages
Oral care professionals opine that there are several benefits associated with receiving a dental implant including;
Comfort
Fixed, implanted teeth are often more comfortable than wearing dentures.
Improved Food Consumption
Individuals who are given replacement teeth typically regain the capacity to properly chew and digest food. Persons who lost teeth are at increased risk of becoming stricken with nutritional deficiencies because said individuals either refrain from eating certain foods due to consumption challenges or simply cannot break such products down properly enough for the body to adequately absorb.
Improved Aesthetic Quality Of Life
Persons who receive dental implants often regain lost confidence. A new set of strong teeth reinstates your ability to smile and not be embarrassed about opening your mouth. Such events could help you recapture a lost social and professional life.
Improved Speech
Lost teeth could result in speech impediments like lisping. Therefore, implants might help you regain the ability to speak clearly and efficiently. This ability might improve your social and professional standings.
Optimal Oral Health
The strength and durability of implanted teeth often improve your oral health. Said structures replace damaged or diseased teeth, which could precipitate the development of serious gum ailments and other potentially serious oral issues.
Ease
Dental implants are typically permanent. This means that, unlike dentures, said structures do not have to continually be removed and inserted back into place. Furthermore, such items can be maintained with greater ease and convenience.
Potential Disadvantages
Though dental implants are reported to hold a more than 90 percent success rate, these oral structures still might present certain disadvantages and potential risks. These possible drawbacks include:
Expense
Dental implants are typically expensive. Furthermore, many dental insurance policies do not cover the expenses associated with installation procedures.
Implantation Is A Surgical Procedure
In the hands of experienced dental surgeons, the risk of complications is relatively low. However, you must bear in mind that the installment of implants is a surgical procedure and every such endeavor comes with certain risks. In the wake of dental implantation surgery, you might experience an increased risk of infection, bleeding, lingering pain and nerve damage.
Integration Period
Dental implants are grafted out of bone. That said, some time may be needed for grafted bone to mesh with your mouth. Because every case is different, it is difficult to estimate how long this process will take to complete.
Cost
Dental implantation is a complex procedure that necessitates the knowledge and experience of experienced oral care professionals. Therefore, few oral surgeons attempt to sugar coat the fact that dental implants can be costly. In many cases, even simpler procedures to replace a few teeth could cost you several thousand dollars. However, should more significant implantation be necessitated, expenses could rise significantly.
Maintaining Dental Implants
The key to ensuring your dental implants stay healthy and durable for many years following installation is proper care.
Home Care
For the most part, the cleaning process for implants is quite similar to that for natural teeth. In the wake of implantation surgery, you will be expected to brush several times daily, floss after meals and use mouthwash.
Professional Care
Obtaining professional care is critical to ensuring the health of your implants. Periodic examinations will be necessary to ensure the grafted teeth are settling and forming properly. Additionally, your dentist might initiate a through cleaning process known as scaling in which cleansing efforts are executed below the gum line, as well as areas not readily reachable to a toothbrush.
Foods To Avoid
In the initial days following surgery, you should consume soft foods that are easy to chew and digest. Anything crunchy or difficult to bite down on should be avoided for the foreseeable future. Additionally, excessively hot or cold foods or beverages should be consumed sparingly. Dental care experts suggest that you may return to your normal diet after a week or so. However, foods or beverages that provide any level of discomfort should be eliminated.
Contacting Us
If you or a close relation have lost or are losing teeth, you might be a candidate for dental implants. Our experienced team of dental professionals can provide an examination and offer suggestions about the best possible ways to proceed. If you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, we can perform said procedure and help you cope with the responsibilities associated with owning said structures. For more information about the services we provide, please contact us today.
