Dental Implant : What You Should Know ?
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. But they don’t always–and that’s because the factors determining their durability are out of your control. How long dental implants will last you is determined by four things: the surgical placement and implant site preparation of your doctor, the quality of the components used in fabrication, how your body responds to and integrates with those components, and how you take care of them. You can control one of these factors–your homecare routine–but you can’t control the other three. Your ability to inspect a dentist’s work at a microscopic level is limited; you’re not allowed to pick which dental implant manufacturers make your components; and your genetics determine how well or poor you heal from surgery. Fortunately, there are many ways you can keep your dental implants healthy for years to come by caring for them like natural teeth, as described below.
There are many factors to take into consideration regarding the longevity of dental implants. It is important to understand that all implants, regardless of manufacturer or other characteristics, are not guaranteed to last forever. However, most dental implants have a high success rate and can last many years if taken care of properly by the patient and dentist alike.
It is important to note that not all patients are candidates for a dental implant procedure. Patients who elect for this procedure should be in good health both orally and physically. Dental implants require a high level of oral hygiene which includes multiple daily brushing and flossing habits, as well as visiting their dentist regularly for routine checkups and professional cleanings. If a patient does not follow these guidelines or develop any type of complications, then their dental implants may become damaged or infected which decreases their lifespan.
While these factors can attribute to how long your implant will last, it is important to speak with your dentist if you have any questions regarding your treatment options before you elect for this procedure.
Although there is no set time frame for the lifespan of a dental implant, it is important to understand that various factors in your life affect the lifespan. For example, people with poor oral hygiene are likely to experience rapid deterioration of the implants. Other factors include but are not limited to:
Regular dental checkups; failing to go for regular checkups can lead to accumulation of plaque bacteria which may cause gum disease or periodontal disease
Healthy diet; if you consume unhealthy diets that contain high amounts of sugar and starch then you will have a higher risk of developing gum disease
Avoid smoking; smoking affects your body’s ability to fight off infections and also delays healing after an implant has been done
Avoid teeth grinding; this condition causes excessive stress on the teeth which might eventually lead to shifting and loosening of an implant
Treat gum disease immediately; if you have untreated gum disease then you might lose your gums and jawbone which will also negatively affect your implants
Dental implants are an investment in your oral health and function, which means you should do everything you can to care for them so they last as long as possible. When dental implants are first placed, they’re equally as strong as a natural tooth root. With good maintenance and care, a dental implant can last a lifetime—as long as it’s not damaged or injured by an untreated infection or periodontal disease.
Proper cleaning of the area around the implant is crucial to the longevity of the implant. The best way to keep your mouth clean is by brushing and flossing at least once each day, or after every meal if possible. You should also see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings to ensure that there are no problems developing with your implants.
Dental implants are considered the best way to replace a lost or damaged tooth.
The procedure itself is painless because it is performed under general or local anesthesia to completely numb the mouth.
If the itching disappears after the tooth implantation, the patient may experience mild pain. People who have undergone the procedure say that this pain is less than the pain of a tooth pull.
Rarely do some patients experience a lot of discomfort after surgery. For most people, recovery is not as painful as they would expect.
Depending on where it is located, there may also be discomfort in the forehead, face or under the eyes. Sometimes, in general, patients report that the results are very useful in this process.
How long does it take to get Dental Implants?
There are many factors you need to consider before deciding if dental implants are right for you. Have you heard that implants can take a long time? Let us walk you through the steps to get a better idea of the process.
Dental exam
Before you start working, your dentist will want to schedule a comprehensive examination to fully assess the health of your mouth. This may include X-rays and possibly 3D scanning. Even if your dentist knows your mouth well, this step is necessary to confirm that the health of your gums and jaws is sufficient to support the implant, and also to create a treatment plan that is best for you.
Implant surgery
After undergoing an extensive examination, your dentist will schedule an operation for you. Surgery is the real first step in the implantation process. Your dentist will place a ceramic implant in the bone of your jaw, just below the piercing. This operation usually takes 1-2 hours to place each implant. After this step, most dentists wait for a definitive renewal of the dental prosthesis for about 3 months. This may seem frustrating, but the healing time is very important to ensure the success of the dental implant procedure. You need to allow time for the implant to integrate into the bone to have the strength to support your final recovery.
Healing after surgery
At first, after surgery, some people experience swelling, bruising or pain. This may depend on how much work your dentist has to do in installing the implant, especially if the tooth needs to be removed during the process. The time window between implant surgery and crown adjustment is very important. The length of this time depends on the healing of your joints and bones. This healing period is usually about 3 months.
Abutment and Crown Fitting
The last step after the implant has healed is a less invasive method of adjusting the implant’s pillar and crown. The abutment is a small cushioned shock absorber located between the implant and the permanent crown. This step usually involves exposing the piercings to hold the implant for a properly fitting abutment and crown. After securing the abutment, your new artificial crown can be applied and the dental implant process is complete.
In short, in order to complete and plan the many steps associated with a dental implant procedure, you need to consider a process that will take many months, from start to finish. The fee is a permanent tooth replacement. The best way to get an idea of how long this process will take you is to talk to your dentist.