How Are Dental Implants Installed?
Dental implants have come a long way since they were invented by Per-Ingvar Branemark, an orthopedic surgeon, in 1952. Nowadays, they are considered a standard procedure for patients with missing teeth that need replacing. We prepared this article to shed more light on dental implants and what takes place when you visit our worcester dental office for implant restoration.
What Is a Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthesis that connects to the jawbone to offer support to another dental prosthesis such as crowns, dentures, or bridges. An abutment inside the dental implants provides a place for other dental prostheses such as dental crowns to connect to them for anchorage and support.
Types of Dental Implants
Zygomatic Dental Implants
Zygomatic dental implants are the least preferred because they are complex to install. Your dentist in Worcester, MA will only recommend zygomatic dental implants if you don’t have enough jawbone tissue for endosteal and subperiosteal implants.
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal dental implants are more common than subperiosteal and zygomatic implants. They come in 3 different shapes and serve as placeholders for patients with strong, healthy jawbones. If you are looking for a missing tooth replacement, endosteal implants will serve as artificial tooth roots for crown placement.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are the best alternative for patients who do not qualify for endosteal implants. Unlike endosteal implants, they can be fitted on patients with weak jawbones within 2 dental appointments. The main disadvantage of getting subperiosteal implants is that they don’t get drilled into the jawbone but instead rest on top of it, thus not as strong as endosteal implants.
Procedure
Before carrying out any dental procedure, we first have to inspect your mouth to determine the best treatment plan. For dental implants, we will carry out a comprehensive dental exam that may involve taking X-rays and 3d images of your mouth. We then go through your medical history to determine the best course of treatment if you have any prevailing medical condition.
When it’s all systems go, we can proceed to treatment. We will first need to remove any existing damaged tooth to prepare for the placement of dental implants. Our dentist will recommend a bone graft procedure for patients with weak jawbones, and treatment will have to continue when you have fully healed.
For patients with strong, healthy jawbones, we will do an immediate implant placement. We will use a special drill to drill into your jawbone and insert a titanium post. Once we have done that, our dentist will place a healing cap on top of it and stitch up the wound.
We may fit you with temporary dentures to cover your missing teeth for aesthetic reasons during the healing phase.
How Long Does It Take To Heal
The healing phase is when your dental implant will fuse to your jawbone tissue. The time taken for each patient to heal will vary, but you can expect to heal within 2 to 6 months. You will need to avoid applying pressure on the dental implants during this stage and see your dentist in Worcester, MA for routine dental checkups.
Benefits of Getting Dental Implants
Prevent Jawbone Deterioration
Patients with missing teeth experience loss of jawbone tissue at a fast rate. This is because of the lack of jawbone stimulation which is provided by tooth roots. Since the jawbone is responsible for giving you your facial features, loss of jawbone tissue can make you look older than your actual age. Visit us today for dental implants in Worcester, MA, to prevent premature loss of jawbone tissue.
Restores Missing Teeth
Having a missing tooth when there are many affordable dental restoration options can be embarrassing. Furthermore, patients with missing back teeth can be forced to use only one side of their mouth to chew, causing the remaining healthy teeth to wear faster. Dental implants can help restore your missing teeth by providing anchorage and support to dental crowns or other tooth implants.
Makes Your Teeth More Functional
With frequent use and aging, the constant pressure that your natural teeth are subjected to when chewing can cause them to wear and become less effective. As you constantly chew while eating, the friction can cause your tooth to lose part of its structure, leaving your tooth enamel susceptible to damage. Fortunately, dental implants can replace your worn-out, cracked, or chipped teeth and make it easier for you to chew.
Are Strong and Firm
Loosely fitted dentures can be uncomfortable and make eating and talking difficult. Fortunately, this is a rare case for patients with dental implants since they are firmly attached to the jawbone. Once we fit you with dental implants, you can chew and talk freely without worrying about them falling off at a crucial moment.
Conclusion
Dental implants serve a vital role in restoring your teeth and preventing bone loss. The introduction of bone grafts and other dental implant procedures has enabled patients with weak or insufficient jawbone tissue to benefit from dental implants. Visit Tatnuck Family Dental Care today for the best dental implants in Worcester, MA. We have a highly trained staff dedicated to offering quality dental care services to all our patients.
