Ever wonder what happens when younger people lose teeth? Surely, they wouldn't be stuck with dentures the rest of their life, right? Correct! Usually, if a younger person does lose a tooth or two, instead of receiving dentures, they'd receive dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a great alternative to dentures. The roots of your lost or broken teeth are removed and replaced with metal posts. The open space is where a fake, or artificial, tooth will be placed. Dental implants do require surgery, but the surgery does not require a hospital stay.
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants may not work for everyone, depending on their oral health.
If you're missing one tooth (or more), dental implants may be a good option for you if:
- You don't smoke
- Your jaw is fully developed
- Your oral tissues are healthy
- You don't have a condition affecting bone health
- You have healthy bones that can create bone grafts
- You can be patient with the process
Risk Factors of Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery does have some risks, though they're not common. These risk factors are common risks that can occur from almost any surgery.
The risk factors include:
- Infection at the implant site
- Nerve damage
- Damage to surrounding teeth
- Sinus issues
- Implant breakage
- Excessive bleeding
The Stages of Dental Implants
There are a few stages when it comes to receiving dental implants. It is not all done in one fell swoop; the process will take time and a lot of healing between the stages.
The stages include:
- Removal of the old and damaged tooth
- Bone grafting (this stage is not necessary for all patients)
- Implant placement
- Abutment placement (this is to hold your implant in place)
- Crown placement
Before the dentist places your crown, or artificial tooth, you have the option of choosing a crown that is removable or one that is permanent. The removable crown is good if you'd like to take it out for cleanings or while you sleep. If you're not interested in removing the crown, a permanent crown would be the best option.
Aftercare
Healing from dental implant surgery can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, it just depends on how your mouth responds to the surgery. Maintaining healthy oral care is vital to a dental implant. Like with your regular teeth, you need to brush twice a day and floss every day. If you slack on your oral care, this could cause your implant to become loose and fall out due to bone loss.
It is important to rest after any surgery, dental implant surgery included. Never hesitate to call your dentist or surgeon with questions or concerns.
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