How Do Dental Implants Work?
How Do Dental Implants Work and Who Can Have Them?
Are you missing one or more of your teeth and don’t want to go for a bridge or partial or full denture? You are not alone.
Many people want a good option to help them restore their smiles but don’t want to use any of these dental temporary procedures. However, the good news is that you can always consider dental implants as a great alternative, a permanent alternative.
More than what dentures will do, dental implants offer a more natural tooth replacement option simply because they are artificial teeth attached directly to the jawbone.
Aside from having missing teeth, for you to benefit from dental implants, you may be required to be in good health and have a well-developed jawbone. This is because to have a dental implant, a healthy jawbone and healthy gum are needed to support the implants. However, if you do lack good bone support, Bone Grafting can help restore the lost levels quite easily.
What are dental implants like?
Dental implants look more like natural teeth than dentures. An implant looks more like a screw or cylinder serving as an artificial replacement for the root of a missing tooth.
Dental implants are usually made of titanium which makes it a safer option as it doesn’t cause any adverse effect when attached to the jawbone and gum tissue, allowing the body to accept it and heal around it.
What is the procedure for dental implants?
Aside from being healthy, you will also need to see your dentist so he or she can determine if you are a good candidate for implants. The dentist will schedule the procedure to happen either under local anaesthesia in the dentist’s office or under IV sedation. The choice depends on your dental health need and how much surgery is required to place an implant.
Getting a dental implant may take several months to complete, and usually happens in 3 phases which are:
#1: Placing the implant: A surgery will be conducted on you to place the implant in your jaw, where it is covered with gum tissue. It will be left for about three to six months for it to integrate into the jawbone.
#2: Attaching the post: A post will be attached to the implant and the gum tissue will be allowed to grow around it. Sometimes the post and the implant are placed simultaneously. However, whether they are placed at the same time or not, the combination of the post and the implant will serve as an anchor for the new tooth or teeth.
#3: Attaching the crown: Your dentist will attach a natural-looking dental crown to the implant post.
How long does the procedure last?
You should bear it at the back of your mind that dental implant surgery does take several hours and could also require more than one procedure. 
However, if you are fit to take the surgery, you will need to make sure you follow every instruction given to you by your dentist for oral hygiene. This may include daily flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily, after the procedure to ensure your new teeth stay clean and healthy.
Are there any advantages to getting dental Implants?
The US records more than 5.5 million implants done by dentist annually and the American Dental Association (ADA) stressed the many advantages of using this surgical procedure. Some of the popular advantages include;
- There’s no need to detach implants for cleaning or soaking every night. They are cleaned in the same way as your natural teeth.
- Implants have stability just like your natural teeth and they don’t shift or slip.
- No tooth structure is lost when implants are used. They don’t rely on neighbouring teeth to provide support
Who Can Have an Implant?
Some factors need to be considered before having a dental implant. The ADI considers patients with healthy gums an ideal candidate for the implant because it reflects good general health. In cases of patients with inadequate jaw bone height, the jawbone can be built prior to the surgery using artificial bone.
However, patients suffering from leukaemia or diabetes can suffer a delayed healing process after an implant. An ADI study also pointed out that smokers are at great risk of losing the healing process altogether.
Need more information?
If you need more information or have a specific concern, please contact our friendly team on 01495 224175, who will be able to assist you. Alternatively, please use our Contact Form if you prefer a callback.
We’ve been established for over 30 years and service the people of Cardiff, Newport, Blackwood and surrounding others. You can learn more about us HERE.
