Dental implant surgery involves the replacement of tooth roots with metal, screw like posts and the replacement of damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that appear and function similarly to natural teeth. Dental implant surgery can be an effective alternative to ill-fitting dentures or bridgework, and it can also be a relevant option when there aren't enough natural teeth roots to create dentures or bridgework tooth replacements. The type of implant used and the health and state of your jawbone determine how the dental implant surgery is to be carried out.
Several treatments may be required during dental implant surgery. The main advantage of implants is that they provide stable support for your new teeth, a procedure that necessitates the bone surrounding the implant to heal securely. Because bone regeneration takes a significant amount of time, it might months to complete. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Suman Yadav, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Director of centre for Dental care & Head Of Department of Healing Tree Hospital, Indirapuram, to know everything about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a surgically implemented fixture that is implanted into the jawbone and allowed to integrate with the bone over several weeks. A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that replaces a lost tooth's root. This 'artificial tooth root' then holds a new tooth or bridge in place.
Dental implant procedure
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More bone requirement is assessed by the quality and quantity of the jawbone at a particular site. If the results lead to establishing the requirement of a dental implant at a desired spot,the patient shall return for the beginning of the surgical procedures required for the dental implant(s). For the comfort and reduction of anxiety the patient is usually dosed off with local anesthetic to numb the surgical area as well as any other sedatives throughout surgical procedure appointments.
Tooth/teeth extraction is the first stage of an oral surgery. An "alveolar bone graft"(cadaver or synthetic bone) is more often than not placed to achieve a solid base of bone for the implant.A time span of two to six months will be allowed for the site to heal. On the other hand, a site which has no tooth and bone loss is also present,in such cases it requires a different bone graft to be placed on top of existing jawbone("onlay bone graft"). Since this is a more complex procedure it requires six or more months for healing.
Also read: What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Your Body?
After this stage, once the strong bone is established, then the dental implant can be placed. In the implant procedure, the dental implant or metal screw is placed into the bone with a using a drill and many other tools. A cap known as healing cap is placed over the dental implant after which stitches are applied on the gum. After this process, the gums and teeth take time to heal. During this recovering period, a temporary denture can be made to compensate for the missing teeth, if a patient requires it. The duration of healing phase depends on the quality of bone as well.
Types of dental implants
The two main types of dental implants are:
1. Endosteal
An endosteal implant is the type of dental implant that is placed in your jawbone as a replacement to hold a replacement tooth. Dental implants are mostly placed when the person has a missing tooth or teeth. These implants are the most common type of implant.
2. Subperiosteal
In subperiosteal dental implants, a metal frame is used for support, instead of a screw. This metal frame is placed in the form of a row and are then used for stabilisation for the placement of a dental prosthetic such as a crown, bridge, or a denture.
Dental implant advantages
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Since a lot of years, the best treatment option for people who have missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available. Here are the main advantages of getting dental implants:
- Better oral health
- Improved speech and look
- Comfortable, durable and convenient
Dental implant complications
Like every surgery, dental implant surgery has some potential health complications. These issues happen in rare cases, but when they do occur, they are mostly milf or can be managed easily. The main complications are:
- Infection in the implant
- Damage on surrounding teeth or gums
- Sinus problems
- Nerve damage
Who can get dental implant surgery?
In the dental implant surgery, implants are placed in your jawbone where they play the role of the roots of missing teeth. The dental implants do not slip as the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone. Generally, people get dental implants if they:
- Have missing teeth
- Do not smoke tobacco
- Say no to dentures
- Want improved speech
Tips to recover after dental implantation
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In most cases, dental implant procedures are successful. But, sometimes, the bone does not get fused properly to the metal implant. And, smoking is an important factor that contributes towards implant failure and other severe complications. So, here are some tips that you need to take care of after the dental implantation:
- Oral hygeine (brush and floss regularly)
- Restrict smoking
- Visit your dentist on fixed appointments
- Consume a healthy diet
The doctor might prescribe pain medications or antibiotics after performing a dental implant surgery. If you are experiencing swelling, discomfort, pain, or any other issue after a few days of the surgery, then you can talk to your oral surgeon. Dental implants are scientifically proven to avoid the negative impacts of missing teeth as it can affect your overall oral and medical health.
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