Dental Implants: Things You Should Know

Dental implants are medical devices installed in the jaw to give a patient the capacity to chew or alter facial aesthetics. They afford facilities for artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Background

Complications occur when the tooth is missing due to injury or disease; the rates of bone mass decrease, speech is impaired, or changes in its morphological structure in the process of chewing cause discomfort. A dental implant provides a good solution for restoring a missing tooth and can enhance the patient’s health. Dental implant systems refer to the dental implants Woodbridge VA component and dental implant carrier and optionally contain dental implant carrier fixing screws. 

It is a screw made out of titanium which is filled into the jawbone to act as the tooth root. This is usually screwed onto the implant body from the implant’s subset, known as the abutment fixation screw, and extends above the gum line and into the mouth to support the attached fake teeth. 

Recommendations for Patients

Before selecting dental implants, talk to your dental provider about the possible benefits and risks and whether you are a person for the procedure. Things to consider:

• The most general health of an individual was also considered about dental implants, how long the individual would take to heal, and how long the implant was expected to last.
• When you visit your dental surgeon, do not hesitate to ask them about the brand and model of their implant system and jot down the information.
• Smoking may affect the healing process and decrease the long-term success of the implant.
• The healing process of the implant body may take several months or more, and during this period, you usually have just a temporary abutment for the tooth’s place.

After the dental implant procedure:

• Carefully follow the oral hygiene instructions given to you by your dental provider. Regularly cleaning the implant and surrounding teeth is very important for the implant’s long-term success.
• Schedule regular visits with your dental provider.
• Tell your dental provider immediately if your implant feels loose or painful.

Benefits and Risks

Dental implants can significantly improve tooth ache Woodbridge and the health of a person who needs them. However, complications may sometimes occur. Complications can occur soon after dental implant placement or much later. Some complications result in implant failure (usually defined as implant looseness or loss). Implant failure can result in the need for another surgical procedure to fix or replace the implant system.

Benefits of Dental Implant Systems:

• Restores the ability to chew
• Restores cosmetic appearance
• Helps keep the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss
• Preserves the health of the surrounding bone and gums
• Helps keep adjacent (nearby) teeth stable
• Improves quality of life

Risks Associated with Dental Implant Systems:

• Damage to surrounding natural teeth during implant placement
• Injury to the surrounding tissues during surgery, such as sinus perforation
• Injury during surgery (for example, fracture of the surrounding jawbone)
• Inadequate function, such as feeling like the teeth do not bite together normally
• A sensation that the tooth is loose or twisting in place resulting from an abutment screw loosening
• Difficulty cleaning the gums around the implant, resulting in poor oral hygiene
• Untreated periodontal disease
• Post-surgical numbness due to nerve impingement or damage

Always notify health care providers and imaging technicians that you have dental implants before any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or x-ray procedures. Dental implants can distort or interfere with these images. FDA is unaware of any adverse events reported for MRI or x-ray procedures with dental implants.

Ways Dental Implants are Evaluated for Safety

Dental implant systems are typically made of materials that follow international consensus standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or ASTM International. These standards have details of what makes a safe material. Most dental implant systems are made of titanium or zirconium oxide. Other materials, such as gold alloys, cobalt-based alloys, titanium alloys, or ceramic materials, are sometimes used. The safety profiles of these materials are well-known. For manufacturers to market dental implant systems in the United States, they must first show the FDA their systems are as safe and effective as those already on the market.

FAQs About Dental Implants

1. What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of biocompatible materials, usually titanium, surgically placed into the jawbone. They provide a stable foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.

2. How do dental implants work?
Dental implants work by integrating with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once the implant is securely fused with the bone, a crown or other prosthetic tooth is attached, restoring function and aesthetics.

3. Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Candidates for dental implants typically include individuals with:

• Missing teeth
• Sufficient jawbone density to support the implant
• Good overall health
• No untreated, periodontal disease

Your dentist will thoroughly evaluate you to determine if you are a suitable candidate.

4. What is the dental implant procedure like?
The procedure usually involves several steps:

1. Consultation: A thorough dental examination and imaging studies.
2. Implant Placement: The titanium implant is surgically placed into the jawbone.
3. Osseointegration: A healing period of several months for the implant to fuse with the bone.
4. Abutment Placement: An abutment is attached to the implant to hold the crown.
5. Crown Placement: A custom-made crown is placed on the abutment.

5. Is the dental implant procedure painful?
Most patients report feeling minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. Local anesthesia is used during surgery, and any post-operative discomfort can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

6. How long does the dental cleaning process take?
Dental cleaning Woodbridge can take several months, including healing time for osseointegration. However, the initial placement surgery typically takes about one to two hours.

7. What are the success rates of dental implants?
Dental implants have a high success rate, generally between 90% and 95%. Factors affecting success include overall health, bone density, and adherence to post-operative care.

8. How do I care for dental implants?
Caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing, along with routine dental check-ups, are essential for maintaining oral health and the longevity of the implants.