Dental implants are designed to provide the next best solution to real healthy teeth, allowing you to do all the things you would normally do, such as eating, smiling, and talking.
Dental implants have been successfully used for more than 30 years and are one of the strongest ways to support replacement teeth. Dental implants have a success rate over 95 percent, proving their value to patients and their overall benefit to oral health.
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million people in the United States have dental implants, a number that is growing by 500,000 annually.
Dental implants can be described as artificial tooth roots, which are shaped similarly to screws. When the implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone over time. This becomes a base for supporting one or more artificial teeth or “crowns.” A connector called an abutment is then placed on top of the implant to support your custom-made crowns, which are shaped to match your teeth and fit your mouth.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
If you have severely decayed or missing teeth due to infection or trauma, dental implants can restore your smile and your bite function to what it was—and better! Dental implants are usually a two-part restorative dentistry operation to attach a removable or fixed set of false teeth to titanium screws that are inserted into the jaw. These kinds of dental implants are strong enough to support your normal bite force and look like your natural teeth. Dental implants have been successfully used for more than 30 years and are one of the strongest ways to support replacement teeth. Dental implants have a success rate of over 95 percent, proving their value to patients and their overall benefit to oral health.
The Requirements for Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment is a surgical operation and is not a good solution for every patient. Dental implants can be described as artificial tooth roots, and when the implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone over time. This becomes a base for supporting one or more artificial teeth or “crowns.” A connector called an abutment is then placed on top of the implant to support your custom-made crowns, which are shaped to match your teeth and fit your mouth.
Dental implants are a good option to treat aging teeth, or teeth that have already been lost due to age or decay. A candidate for a dental implant procedure must have enough bone mass in their jaw to support the titanium insert, meaning that patients with low bone mass or conditions like osteoporosis may not qualify. Patients must also be healthy enough to tolerate general anesthesia.
What to Do After Dental Implant Procedure?
A dental implant procedure is technically considered major surgery, and while pain and discomfort will be minimal a few days after your procedure, there are still a few things you need to keep in mind in order for your implant to heal fully.
Manage Any Pain
Your mouth and tissues around the implant site may be swollen and tender for a few days after your procedure. Gently apply cold compresses to the cheek outside of the mouth to help with swelling. Certain over-the-counter pain meds can also help alleviate symptoms.
Protect the Implant Site
In the first 24 to 48 hours after your operation, don’t smoke or drink any alcohol or otherwise physically disturb the implant site. It’s important to allow time for the site to clot and begin the healing process and these activities may disrupt that.
Stick to Soft Foods
Eat or drink soft, cool foods in the first 24 to 48 hours after your operation. Foods like ice cream, smoothies sipped from a cup, or gazpacho eaten with a spoon will allow the implant to heal without the manual disruption of hard or crunchy foods (Typically, you will have to wait at least a few weeks before adding these types of foods back into your diet.) Plus, cool foods may also help alleviate any pain or swelling.
Wait Before Exercising
Vigorous physical activity in the days immediately following your procedure can dislodge the implant and hinder the healing process. Wait at least four days before resuming your normal exercise routine.
Champagne Family Dentistry Team
At Champagne Family Dentistry, our dental implant doctors are leading experts in implant technology. Dr. Drew Champagne currently belongs to the American Dental Association, Nevada Dental Association, and Northern Nevada Dental Society, and has over 15 years of experience in diagnosing the need for dental implants—as well as performing the operation. When performed by an experienced dental implant dentist, dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most effective tooth replacement procedures available.
Conclusion
Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to missing and badly decayed teeth. With the appropriate prep work and some minor healing time in between operations, the team at Champagne Family Dentistry can transform your smile. Call today and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss the possibility of a dental implant procedure.
