Guide for Dental Implants

Think about any other process of change you may go through around your home as you approach your dental implant. New windows; first remove the old ones and prep the opening. Touch up work on the car; first remove the old paint, rust, and prep the surface. Receiving a Dental Implant is no different. Like those new windows or ANY type of improvement in your life, there are terrific benefits to getting an implant.

The Prep work

Let’s start with the extraction of the tooth in question. Your dentist has quantified the fact that the tooth is no longer a benefit to your oral health and strongly recommends it be removed. Once that has been completed you have the obvious gap. If not replaced there are a number of negative consequences. Your bone could slowly erode. The health of the teeth around the gap will be influenced. Your ability to chew properly. AND there is your smile. Your engaging smile. The smile that defines who you are! So once the tooth has been extracted the dentist will determine the quality of the bone structure. It may be such that you may have to receive a bone graft so the jawbone can receive a small metal post. The bone graft, if necessary, will be at the time of extraction. The jaw and gums are given a chance to heal at which time you will have a follow-up appointment to receive the actual implant.

The Implant itself

Once the dentist has good bone mass to work with, great care is used to drill a pilot hole to receive the titanium post. The process of the bonding between the post and the bone is called osseointegration. This process is crucial for the post and the crown to anchor successfully to the bone. There may at this time be a CT scan involved or a temporary crown. Both depending on you, the patient. Once the permanent crown is in place you can expect a small level of discomfort and maybe some gum swelling as the body processes through the surgery.

The Benefits.

Even though you at first may consider implants expensive, they may last forever. Research so far has a 90% success rate after 40 years! We mentioned earlier the positive implications of an implant. Once again there is the all-important issue of the prevention of bone loss. Not something we consider important, out of sight, out of mind, but something that can have severe results. There is the fact that they look totally natural in matching your other teeth. Those other teeth will benefit with your implant and your gums as well. There is the issue of preserving your bite and the results in facial muscles that would deteriorate over time. Finally, there is the preservation of your natural smile and of the self-awareness benefits that result. Sometimes these benefits are more quantifiable as you consider your dental implant.

Dental Implants may be your solution towards long term, positive oral health? Contact Iowa Dental Group Today!