Thinking About Dental Implants

Date: 16th July 2024

Are you missing one or more teeth? Dental implants are a fantastic option for restoring your natural-looking smile by replacing missing teeth. They can provide a strong foundation for artificial teeth that look, feel, and function like your own. Even better is that dental implants have longevity in the oral cavity, which puts a worthwhile value on your investment.

Dental implants have been around for some time and have been tried and tested for success over several decades. Much research has been conducted to determine the best approach to placing dental implants and situations that could potentially lead to implant failure. Our highly skilled dentist at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center has been trained and credentialed to provide our patients with the latest research and guidance on best practices for dental implant placement.

This article will discuss how implants can benefit you as a patient, what makes them successful, what to expect, and post-operative care with your dental implant.

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What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium screw or implant fixture that is surgically placed into the underlying jawbone of an area where you have a missing tooth or teeth. The dental implant fixture will support the abutment, which will be visible in the oral cavity. The implant crown will be cemented on the abutment and serve as your natural tooth.

Implant Components:

Implant Fixture:

This is the part of the implant that is screwed into your jawbone and is not visible in your mouth.

Implant Abutment:

A dual-ended component that is screwed into the implant fixture in a threaded manner, making it easier to remove and evaluate. The remaining portion extends into the oral cavity and supports the implant crown.

Implant Crown:

This part of the implant is visible when you smile. It looks like a natural tooth and is cemented or screwed in place onto the implant abutment.

The surgical procedure for an implant is relatively uncomplicated. After you are made comfortable with local anesthesia, the dentist will use a dental engine to slowly shape the area of the bone to receive the final implant. Once the implant has been completely introduced into the bone, the area is allowed to heal for a time.

In the case of a dental implant, healing consists of the osseointegration process. Osseointegration is the biological process where a dental implant fuses with and becomes a stable part of the jawbone. Once the area has healed, the dentist will place the abutment into the implant fixture supporting your new crown.

Dental implants can support a single missing tooth, a bridge, or even dentures. They are gaining popularity and versatility in the dental field, but not every patient is a candidate for them.

Candidacy for Dental Implants:

A medical screening is necessary to determine if a patient is suitable for dental implants. It’s important to be open and honest about any medications and health conditions you have so your dental team can provide the best treatment options for you. Certain unexpected issues, like adverse reactions, sensitivities, or drug interactions, can make it harder for your dental implant to heal properly.

Your overall health and well-being as a patient are related to the long-term success of your dental implant. For example, developing a new health condition like diabetes can significantly impact a person’s oral health. When talking to your healthcare provider, ask how any health conditions can affect your oral health and dental implant. Some health considerations that could potentially exclude a patient from being a candidate for dental implants include:

  • Poor oral hygiene or presence of periodontal disease
  • Heavy smoker or nicotine user

  • Presence of diabetes

  • Use of certain IV Bisphosphonates

All dental implants are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. This material allows dental implants to be well-tolerated by most patients. Traditional implants usually range from 3.5-6mm in diameter and 10-12mm in length. A patient must have enough bone height and depth to support the required implant size to be considered for one.

If a patient does not have enough jawbone to support a traditional dental implant, additional surgical procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift may be necessary to achieve the required bone height and depth for successful implant placement. This ensures that other surrounding anatomical structures are not disrupted.

Ultimately, your skilled dentist at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center will decide whether you are suitable for an implant.

What to Expect with Receiving a Dental Implant:

Completing the necessary appointments for traditional dental implants may take some time, especially if additional surgeries are required. After placing your implant, it may take several months for healing to occur with osseointegration, where the surrounding bone forms around the implant and becomes fully fused to the patient’s jaw.

While this process is lengthy, ensuring the implant can withstand chewing forces for an extended period is necessary. With proper care and oral hygiene, most traditional dental implants can last up to 20 years or longer, depending on the patient, their lifestyle, and the location of the implant.

Traditional implant placement is standard and relatively uncomplicated, but it is considered a surgical procedure with associated risks. The procedure is typically performed successfully with local anesthesia in the dental office, though IV sedation can be offered as an alternative if necessary.

Post-Operative Expectations

After dental implant surgery, you must follow a specific oral hygiene routine to care for the surgical site and prevent issues during the healing period. Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and medication to manage any discomfort during the first few days after surgery. It is crucial to take all the prescribed medications as instructed.

Bleeding around the surgical site is normal for the first few hours after surgery. Your dentist will provide you with gauze to control the bleeding. You should change the gauze several times as the bleeding decreases. If the bleeding continues or becomes worse, contact the dental office immediately.

It is expected to experience discomfort after dental implant surgery, which often resolves by the third day. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil can help manage mild pain. If you experience ongoing or worsening pain, contact the dental office.

Swelling and bruising around the surgical site are also expected. During the first couple of days after the procedure, you can relieve this by applying a cold compress for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

You can resume your regular diet after dental surgery, but it is best to start with soft foods such as eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Foods high in protein can aid the healing process, and spicy foods should be avoided to prevent irritation to the implant site. Avoid using a straw for the first 48 hours after the surgery.

It’s important to refrain from smoking during the healing process, as it can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. Even after the complete healing of the implant, smoking can negatively impact your oral health and the supportive tissues around the implant.

Call the dental office immediately if you experience increased pain or bleeding, notice a bad taste in your mouth, develop a fever, or feel the implant is loose.

Oral Hygiene and Your New Dental Implant:

A strict oral hygiene regimen is recommended to ensure the long-term success of your new dental implant. Ideally, this would begin immediately following the surgical placement of your dental implant.

  • Continue to brush and floss your natural teeth as usual (2 minutes, two times per day), but avoid the new dental implant site until it has initially healed.
  • Refrain from swishing or gargling anything in your mouth for the first couple of days, as this can disrupt your body’s ability to retain the new blood cells needed to heal the surgical site.

  • After this initial period, the dentist may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse or have you gargle with salt water to keep the surgical site free from bacteria and promote healing.

After your implant has healed completely, you need to continue implementing high standards of oral hygiene routine. While your implant is not one of your natural teeth, it relies on the supporting bone to keep it in place. Maintaining your implant will require diligent hygiene efforts, such as the following:

  • Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes using an ADA-approved toothpaste. (Ask your dental hygienist about aids that can help you care for your new dental implant!)
  • Floss at least once a day

  • Visit us at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center for a dental cleaning twice a year (or more in some cases)

  • Have regular radiographs taken to evaluate the health of your dental implant

Conclusion:

It may seem like investing in a dental implant is a big decision—it is! That is why the choice should be clear: who can you rely on to receive the best care and outcome? Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center!

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We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have.