When Are Dental Implants Necessary?

Millions of Americans miss at least one tooth, and more than 36 million do not have any teeth. Tooth loss can result from trauma or poor oral hygiene, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. An age-related condition such as osteoporosis is also linked with tooth loss. Regardless of why you miss teeth, it is always important to get dental implants in Carthay to avoid the domino effect of tooth loss.

Besides affecting your appearance, speech, and everyday activities such as eating, tooth loss can cause problems with your dental occlusion. Here is more for you to learn about dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are screw-like posts made of titanium metal, used as replacements for your natural teeth. Titanium does not react with your natural bone and doesn’t decay like your own teeth. Implant placement is a surgical procedure that, like other surgeries, has its risks.

What are the risks of dental implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery poses several risks, usually mild and easy to treat. They include:

• Sinus problems. Implants to replace teeth in your upper jaw can penetrate the nasal sinuses leading to discomfort. Other times you can develop an infection as a result.
• Infection. Like most surgeries, you can develop an infection in the incision area after surgery. Usually, your dentist gives you post-operative instructions to keep the incisions clean during the healing period. Swelling, fluid draining, and pain are signs of infection that require medical attention.
• Nerve damage. Surgery can damage the nerves in your mouth, causing symptoms such as pain and numbness in your lips, chin, and gums. Severe nerve damage can result in lasting effects, and therefore you should discuss with your oral surgeon the risks before surgery.

Working with a skilled surgeon who adequately prepares the treatment site and places the implant in the right location can help you reduce the risks.

Benefits of implants

Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants also replace the tooth and the root. Implants fuse with your jaw bone, a process known as osseointegration that occurs over six weeks to six months. Over time, the implant becomes part of our mouth and does not cause any discomfort. Since it fuses with natural bone, implants are more potent and last longer than other tooth-replacement options such as bridges and dentures.

They are irremovable, meaning you don’t need to get them out whenever you eat to eat. There’s no limit to the foods you can it since they pose no risk of dislodging or falling off. Since they act as your natural tooth roots, implants prevent bone deterioration over time when you have missing teeth. Implants are also cost-effective since there’s no need to replace them regularly like dentures or bridges.

Implants also help with the visual aspects. Tooth loss alters your appearance, affecting your self-esteem and making you self-conscious. Once you get your implants in place, you can smile and laugh without holding back, which can significantly impact your life as a whole.

Dental implants are a better alternative to dentures and bridges. If you need to learn more about dental implants, consult with your specialist today at Smile Perfector Dental Group.