You may get your teeth lost at some stage due to accidental damage or some infection, or older age. Once that happens, it can affect your confidence, appearance, and well-being. Although you can opt for dentures, bridges, and crowns to fill the gap, only a permanent solution can put you at ease.

Dental implants have emerged as the best alternatives to traditional dental replacement procedures due to their precise and natural-looking design and little to no risks. This procedure involves inserting an artificial structure consisting of a fixture (or titanium post), an abutment, and a replacement tooth (or crown).

A dentist or a dental professionals’ team performs the surgery at a dental implants Springfield clinic or hospital. Here, you will get to know everything about the dental implant procedure.

Dental Implant Procedure

The purpose of a dental implant is to securing a prosthetic tooth onto an artificial dental root, which resembles a real one and blends well with the teeth around. The dentist inserts a titanium-made artificial dental root or post into the jaw bone by surgically removing the gum line.

In the following steps, the metallic root receives an abutment upon which the prosthetic tooth or crown is attached. The fixture holds the replacement teeth steady, enabling them to act like natural teeth.

Factors

Before performing the procedure, the dental surgeon evaluates the patient’s oral health condition in a series of appointments. Ideally, people having a fully developed jaw bone and healthy gums are suitable for implants, while those with unhealthy jaw bone or allergic reactions may require going through several surgeries. It is quite an expensive approach compared to bridgeworks or dentures.

Procedure Steps

Most dental implants Springfield clinics follow a comprehensive plan to perform the procedure. It includes conducting the physical examination and medical history, taking dental X-rays and, or 3D-images, consulting with the patient and dental specialists, and customizing a treatment regime. Finally, based on the oral condition of the patient, surgery is scheduled in the following steps:

1.  Anesthesia. Numbs the area of the missing tooth.

2.  Alveolar Bone Graft. In case the jaw bone is too soft to provide the base for the implant.

3.  Antibiotics or Antibacterial Mouthwash. Several days before the procedure to avoid any surgical complications.

4.  Implant Placement. The gums are cut open with an incision, and a hole is drilled into the jaw bone to make way for the titanium post.

5.  Bone Healing. The gums are closed for 3-6 months to allow the implant to integrate with the jaw bone, known as osseointegration.

6.  Abutment Placement. After securing the post with the jaw bone and growing gums around it, the dentist attaches an abutment over the implant. Healing takes a couple of weeks.

7.  Crown Placement. Lastly, the customized crown or replacement tooth is fixed on the abutment.

Benefits

In addition to being a permanent replacement for a missing tooth, the implant procedure offers many benefits. The replacement teeth replicate the natural teeth in appearance and functionality and remain stable but are far from bone loss, decay, poor bite, and slipping, unlike dentures and bridges.

Potential Risks

As with other dental surgeries, the implant procedure is considered safe, but it does come with some risks, such as:

•  Swelling, bleeding, or infection in gums

•  Bruising of surrounding teeth or blood vessels

•  Nerve damage leading to pain and numbness

•  Sinus issues in the upper jaw implant

Post-Procedure Care

Since the procedure might cause some discomfort, the dental implant recipient must take some precautions, including:

•  Brushing and flossing regularly

•  Making follow up visits to the dentist

•  Avoiding foods that require more bite force and drinks that cause discoloration

•  Staying away from tobacco smoking

Imagining a life without teeth can give you a lot of scares. Not being able to eat as usual is the biggest fear that comes with missing teeth. But, if you have somehow damaged or lost your teeth, visiting a dental implants Springfield clinic can help you regain confidence and smile.