An Overview of Implant Dentistry

Implant dentistry can replace missing teeth and improve your general health. Placing titanium rods and artificial crowns in the dental space can bring back your complete smile. Understanding the process of this field can help you prepare for your upcoming surgery. Here is an overview of implant dentistry that you must consider.

The benefits

An oral surgeon can replace at least one missing tooth through implant dentistry. In doing so, more benefits come to light. In replacing missing teeth, the patient regains proper support for facial structures. This helps correct the sunken appearance that results from long-term tooth loss.

Implant dentistry provides titanium rods that act as dental roots. The rods stimulate the jawbone, and this signals the body to send nutrients for cell regeneration and tissue repair. This process restores the jawbone’s structure. That is why it enhances jawbone health and restores facial structures. The individual can then enjoy stable dental function and a youthful appearance.

The oral surgeon can provide a more natural look with implant dentistry. Dental implants blend with the neighboring natural teeth well. Other people will not be able to tell which teeth are synthetic and which ones are natural. These implants also provide a stable and strong bite. Each one can prevent tooth loosening and tooth loss. Maintaining them is like maintaining natural teeth.

The process

Implant dentistry replaces teeth in a step-by-step process. The patient must schedule many visits to complete the dental replacement. Knowing what each one entails can help prepare the patient well. Here are the different steps involved:

• A dental consultation is the first step in dental replacement. The dentist will check the patient’s gums and jawbone. This will determine if the patient is a good candidate for the implant dentistry procedure. Dental scans and a comprehensive oral exam can tell the dentist which areas need implants and if the patient needs preparatory treatments before the surgery.
• Placing the dental implants will follow if the patient is a good candidate. The appropriate dental sedation technique will make the procedure painless. There could be damaged teeth still in place. The dentist will extract them and then place bone grafts in the affected areas. Patients with a healthy jawbone after the extraction can have the procedure right away.
• Healing will take about three to six months. Recovery will depend on the patient’s ability to heal. This stage will involve osseointegration, in which the titanium rods will fuse with the jawbone and gum tissue. Proper healing will provide the implants with a strong foundation.
• Placing the abutment will follow. The dentist must cut into the gum tissue above the post to reveal it. The oral surgeon will then attach the abutment. Stitching the gum tissue around the abutment will help speed up the healing process, which takes about two weeks.
• Placing the dental crown will happen after the abutment heals. The dentist can also attach an implant-supported denture or an implant-supported bridge. Any of these restorations will bring back the patient’s natural smile. The patient can enjoy stable dental functions as well.

Recovering after the implant dentistry procedure

The patient will not feel discomfort or pain right after the implant placement. Sedation will take effect until the patient goes home. The patient will feel pain and discomfort when sedation fades. Pain will increase within one to two days of the implant dentistry treatment. There will be minor bleeding and pain in the implant area. There will be some staining of the skin or gums, as well as facial and gum swelling.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help the patient manage the discomfort. The dentist may also prescribe some antibiotics that can speed up healing and fight off infection. Placing an ice pack on the cheek near the surgical site is also a good idea. Do this at an interval of 10 minutes. Here are some tips for a speedy recovery:

• Be gentle when brushing the implant site when the tenderness subsides.
• Hydrate by drinking plenty of water. This can encourage tissue growth in the implant site.
• Eat nutritious foods that can help speed up the fusion of the implants and the jawbone.
• Stay away from chewy and hard foods to prevent possible implant dislodgement.
• Skip tobacco and alcohol consumption. These substances can slow down healing by impairing blood oxygenation and circulation.
• Take medications on time.

Understanding implant dentistry can help you make informed decisions about your procedure

Dental replacement is invasive. It is a huge decision that you must think about carefully. Asking your dentist the right questions can help you understand the mentioned steps. Working with your dentist can help with the possible success of your restorations.

Request an appointment here: https://www.centralcoastoms.com or call Wilson Oral Surgery at (805) 910-1213 for an appointment in our Santa Maria office.

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