It's no mystery why dental implants are generally considered the most effective long-term tooth loss solution.
Other replacement solutions focus solely on addressing tooth loss above the gumline, "at the crown. "Dental implants, meanwhile, offer a strong, stable anchoring point for dental restorations like porcelain crowns while providing an incredibly natural-looking and feeling replacement for natural tooth roots.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny titanium rods that a dentist or oral surgeon implants into the empty hole, or "socket," left in a patient's jawbone after tooth loss. Once an implant is properly placed in the socket, it fuses with the jawbone, through a process called osseointegration. Once this process, which typically takes several weeks, is complete, you've got a new tooth root that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural root.
The Dental Implant Process, from Start-to-Finish
You're probably wondering how exactly the dental implant process works. Luckily, I've put together a breakdown of the entire process:
- Consultation. During an initial consultation, your dentist examines the site of your lost tooth, takes impressions and digital x-rays of your entire mouth, and thoroughly assesses your overall oral (including jawbone) health to determine whether you're a good candidate for dental implants.
- A customized treatment plan. Based on this evaluation, and taking into account factors like how many implants you'll need and whether you require additional procedures like tooth extraction or a bone graft, we will create a treatment plan together that's tailored to your specific needs.
- Tooth extraction (if necessary). If you still have a damaged tooth in the implant area, we will schedule an extraction. Once the area is allowed to heal, we will resume the implant process.
- Bone grafting (if necessary). Similarly, if we find that your jawbone lacks the density to support an implant, we will schedule a bone graft, in which bone material is added to the jaw and allowed to fuse with the natural bone.
- Placement. Once your jawbone is ready, we'll set a date and prepare to place your implant(s)! During this step, your dentist or oral surgeon will make an incision into your gum tissue and make a tiny hole into the underlying jawbone. At this point, I'll place the dental implant into the hole and seal the incision in your gums with stitches.
- Osseointegration. As we discussed earlier, once an implant is in place in your jawbone, over a few months, the bone grows around it and fully absorbs the implant, providing stability and strength on par with a natural root.
- Abutment. After osseointegration, an "abutment" is attached, allowing for a connection between the implant and a dental restoration.
- Restoration. Once your gums heal around the abutment, we'll take new impressions of your mouth. From these impressions, we will arrange for a dental lab to custom-craft a final restoration (usually a dental crown, bridge, or denture) matching the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
As you can see, dental implants are an excellent option for dealing with tooth loss. Unfortunately, certain physical conditions preclude some patients from being good candidates for implants:
- A fully-formed jawbone. While there's no age requirement for dental implant eligibility, appropriate candidates must have a fully developed jawbone, which happens in your late teen or early 20s.
- Sufficient jawbone strength and density. Your jawbone must be strong enough to support either a dental implant or a bone graft to bolster your jawbone to sufficient density and strength.
- Good periodontal health. To receive a dental implant, you cannot be suffering from gum disease and your gums must otherwise be strong enough to support an implant.
- Good overall health. Any patient receiving a dental implant must be in good overall health, and not be suffering from medical conditions like severe diabetes.
Of course, it's important to remember that each person's case is unique. Thus, make sure you consult with a dentist or oral surgeon to determine your suitability for dental implants.
What Are the Biggest Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer a variety of benefits, most significantly:
- Dental implants offer incredible longevity. With the proper care, a dental implant can be expected to last at least a decade, if not a lifetime! (https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-long-do-dental-implants-last), without requiring retreatment!
- Implants are unrivaled among tooth-replacement solutions in their ability to restore the aesthetic appeal of a person's smile and the form, function, and integrity of their bite.
- Dental implants help prevent overcrowding or shifting among your remaining teeth.
- Implants provide the stimulation needed to prevent a loss of density in the jawbone, which often accompanies untreated tooth loss.
- The confidence that comes with full biting, chewing, and speaking functions.
Dental Implants in Winter Springs, FL
If you're in the Winter Springs area and looking for an experienced and knowledgeable dental team to guide you through the entirety of the dental implant process, from consultation to placement to aftercare, contact Dr. Christopher Young, DDS, and the friendly and helpful Advanced Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!