Dental Implants Are a Favored Option for Replacing Missing Teeth
Dental implants were invented by the Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per Ingvar Branemark in 1952 and are presently considered the standard Care for prosthetic replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants are a surgical fixture inserted into the jawbone and allowed to integrate with the bone over a period. The implant functions as a replacement of the root of a missing tooth. The artificial tooth root serves to hold an artificial replacement tooth or dental bridge.
Having a dental implant integrated with the jawbone is the closest one can get to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands by itself without impacting the neighboring teeth and is highly durable. Dental implants are made from titanium to fuse with the bone without being identified as a foreign object. Over time technology and science have innovated to incredibly improve the outcomes of dental implants. The success rate of dental implants is presently close to 98 percent.
When Do You Need a Dental Implant?
You may need dental implants if you have lost a single tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth. The goal of teeth replacement in dentistry is to restore aesthetics and functionality. You have the options available when selecting tooth replacement solutions. The first is a removable dental appliance in the form of full or partial dentures. The second is a fixed dental bridge, and the third is a dental implant.
Dentures are the most affordable and the least desired because of their inconvenience of being a removable appliance from the mouth. Dentures can affect sensory experience with food and taste.
Dental bridgework was pretty popular before the shift to dental implants. The most significant disadvantage of dental bridgework was the dependence on the existing natural teeth for support.
Dental implants are supported by the surrounding bone and do not affect any remaining teeth in the mouth. Deciding on an option to choose depends on many factors, especially for dental implants. Dental implants in Richmond Hill, NY, consider factors like the location of a missing tooth, the health and preference of the patient, and the quality and quantity of the jawbone before determining whether the patient is a suitable candidate for dental implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
During the consultation and planning stage, the dentist in Richmond Hill, NY, will examine the site in the mouth where the dental implant is being planned for. Dental imaging studies are also considered by the dentist, who will assess the quality and quantity of the jawbone to determine whether more bone is needed at the site. After establishing that the site is suitable for a dental implant, you can return for surgical procedures for placing the implants.
Local anesthesia or other sedatives to numb the surgical area and comfort you are given, and the first stage of oral surgery involves tooth or teeth extraction. If the surgical site has a damaged tooth present, it must be removed to prepare for the implant placement.
If you need the implants in the maxilla or the upper jaw, the available bone may be limited by the sinus cavity. In such cases, sinus augmentation is performed to raise the sinus floor for grafting more bone into the sinus.
After sufficient bone is available, and the site is ready for the placement, the dental implant is inserted into the bone with special drills and tools. The implant also gets a healing cap over it, and the gums are stitched to begin the healing phase. You may receive a temporary denture during the healing phase to replace your missing teeth for aesthetic purposes. Healing time varies significantly on the quality of bone. The time needed is 2 to 6 months for the implant to integrate with the bone.
You must avoid stressing or forcing the dental implant during the healing process. Follow-up appointments with dental implants in Richmond Hill are essential to evaluate the surgical site and ensure no infection exists, and the healing is proceeding smoothly.
After the implant integrates successfully into the jawbone, the final phase involves the placement of the crown that is supported by the implant. This procedure is performed by dental implants in Richmond Hill, NY, to give you new artificial teeth as a replacement for your natural teeth.
Are Dental Implants Expensive?
The costs of dental implants vary according to your region and the dentist who is performing the procedure. A conservative estimate for a single implant is around $ 3000-$ 4500. The cost considers the surgery for the placement and all components along with the implant crown.
Dental implants are now favored as a conservative approach for replacing missing teeth and provide incredibly successful results. It is why they are the preferred option as teeth replacement solutions for many people.