How Dental Implants Restore Your Teeth in 5 Simple Steps
Before the current technology, the only options available to replace missing teeth were dentures or bridges. The other option was to not replace them at all because dentures can cause discomfort or some people were embarrassed by them. But there are new options now called dental implants that last much longer than dentures and also feel more natural. How exactly do they work and how are they implanted?
- Finding Out If You’re Eligible
Before you can get dental implants, you first have to figure out if you’re eligible for them. You may have lost teeth due to a failed root canal, accidents, cancer, or just aging. Some people may also just be unhappy with how their dentures look, so depending on the cause of the missing teeth, then you may be able to get dental implants or not, especially if you’re considering getting them from NorthStar implants.
General oral health also plays a big factor, because dental implants will fail if you’re not properly taking care of your teeth. Speaking to your dentist may bring up issues like whether you’re smoking, if you have signs of gum disease, or if you have other uncontrolled chronic conditions.
- Improving Your Oral Hygiene Habits
Implants are similar to real teeth and should be taken care of like real teeth too. This may require some big changes in some people’s dental habits. This would include brushing and flossing more regularly, seeing the dentist every six months for checkups, and calling your dentist whenever there’s any pain or if something just doesn’t feel right.
- Developing A Dental Implant Treatment Plan
Again, before dental implants can be put in, there has to be a treatment plan set in place in case things don’t go well. There are also specific measures that might have to be taken to ensure that the implants take, such as having to remove a few teeth or start the treatment of gum disease first. X-rays will have to be taken first before the procedure to determine the health of the jaw bones or whether a bone graft might be required.
- Starting The Procedure
Installing dental implants is actually a multi-step process that can take place over a few months. The amount of time and number of procedures differs between individuals. You’ll likely have to cut back on some medications before your procedure (this should be discussed with your dentist), and your mouth will be rinsed out with chlorhexidine on the day of your procedure to eliminate any bacteria. Some existing teeth will be removed, and the dental surgeon will drill into the bone to place the posts for the implants. Titanium is usually used before it bonds with the bone. Then the artificial tooth is attached to the titanium once a solid base has been formed.
- The Aftercare
Don’t think that everything’s taken care of after your last appointment; now you have to pay particular attention to the health of your mouth with new dental implants. You may have to exercise more care than you’re used to when it comes to keeping your mouth clean, but this will ensure that your dental implants last as long as possible.
Dental implants can help to improve a person’s self-confidence, especially if they’ve been embarrassed about the state of their mouth and teeth for a while. If you’re interested in giving dental implants a try, call your dentist today for a consultation.
