Implant Dentistry
WHY IMPLANTS?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth root substitutes placed in the jaw bone by a team of dedicated implantologists to replace the natural tooth roots in an area of the mouth where teeth are missing. Dental implants are the only solution that come as close as possible with regard to comfort aesthetics and stability similar to your missing natural teeth. Dental implants are small purely Titanium posts which are highly biocompatible to bone and have been used successfully (97.5%) over decades.What can Dental Implants do for me?
• Preservation of Natural teeth: Tooth replacement with traditional tooth-supported bridges requires grinding down the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth/teeth, so that the bridge can be cemented onto them. This tooth structure can never be replaced and the long-term health of these teeth is compromised.But implant supported crowns/bridges function independently without touching the natural teeth, such that the natural teeth are not compromised, or damaged.• Confidence & feeling of wellbeing: Overall quality of life is enriched with replacement teeth that look, feel and function as natural teeth.
• Eat better- all kinds of sticky, chewy foods which was once impossible with regular dentures will be possible now.Also when you chew your food better it is digested better and overall health of the person is improved.
• No need for rocky, unstable dentures and no reason to fear the denture falling off causing you social embarrassment. Implant supported teeth stay firm in the mouth.
• Long Term Clinical Success :
• Dental implants are highly predictable and should be the first choice in replacing missing teeth as their success rates (=98%).They are safe, reliable and a long term solution .There is never a risk of an implant getting cavities or decay!
• Dental implants prevent the bone loss that occurs with loss of tooth/teeth. Therefore they maintain the support for facial muscles prevent them from losing tonicity and the appearance of wrinkles especially in a person who has lost all their teeth, restoring youthfulness.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Nearly anyone who is in good general and oral health is a candidate for a dental implant. There are no absolute contraindications for an implant. Age is never a contraindication! Anyone who wants to improve his/her quality of life is a candidate for an implant.What is the procedure involved?
The entire implant process takes place over the course of few months. In most cases, implants can be placed using local anaesthesia. When you’re sufficiently numb, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum and bone and insert the implant. More than one implant can be placed at one time.The healing process usually takes 3 to 6 months. A temporary restoration can be used during this period, so you’ll be able to eat and speak normally. You will need to attend regular follow-up visits to ensure that the healing process is progressing as planned.
After the healing process is complete and the implant has fused to the bone, your dentist will place an abutment that will be used to support the restoration. After taking the required impressions, your dentist will permanently restore your teeth using crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Post-Surgical Hygiene-
Immediately after your implant surgery, you should take extra precautions to avoid infection and speed your healing. Although your gums will be a bit sore, you should still brush your teeth, including the area around your implant posts. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle strokes to avoid opening up your incisions. Your dentist will supply a special mouthwash to help eliminate oral bacteria. You should also rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times a day.Post-Surgical Care-
After your surgery, you will experience some temporary side effects, including swelling and sensitivity. To minimize these effects, you should follow a soft diet for one or two days. Although you can add in more foods as you heal, you may want to avoid very hard or crunchy foods for a few weeks. During the first few days of your healing, you may also notice some sensitivity to heat and cold.Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications can usually alleviate any discomfort. With proper post-operative care, inflammation will typically subside within 24 to 48 hours. At Maskati Dental Center we will you with further guidance in the days after your procedure.