Any damages related to teeth can be a significant source of frustration to anyone undergoing such an experience. Some of the common issues related to teeth include missing teeth, misshapen, severe damages, and tooth decay. Teeth do not only give a perfect smile, but they also have a significant impact on your overall health.
With the increasing popularity of dental implants, dental issues have become something that people should not worry about. Unlike other types of dental procedures, a dental implant is a perfect solution used in tooth replacement. The process is quite complex, but it serves a couple of benefits to dental patients. The possibility of having a successful dental procedure depends on the implant center that you pick. We at Northridge Dental Implant Center offers the best services that suit your needs.
Definition of Dental Implant
As the name suggests, a dental implant is a metallic appliance that is surgically attached to the jawbone. The metallic appliance allows the dentist to mount the replacement tooth onto it. The implant fuses with the jawbone to provide stable support for your artificial teeth. It also ensures that the artificial tooth does not shift or slip in the mouth. Therefore, you will feel more natural with your dental compared with conventional dentures or bridges.
Different Types of Dental Implant
There are three common types of dental implant that one can choose from. The options include Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic option. The endosteal dental implant method is the safest and is widely used. It is followed by the subperiosteal, and then the zygomatic dental implant method. The zygomatic method is the most complex of the three and not widely preferred.
Endosteal
As stated earlier, the Endosteal implant is the most common dental implant method. It is well suited for patients with a good, healthy jawbone to ensure that the post fuses well. The place holders used in this procedure are sharp and look like a screw. They are put into the jaw where the false teeth will be fitted.
After completing the procedure, it will take quite some time to heal since the post requires to fuse with the jaw to create a strong foundation. Once it heals, the dentist can place the false teeth and ensure that it fits with the surrounding.
If the idea of placing something beneath your jawbone does not suit you, you can explore other options.
Subperiosteal
This procedure is the main alternative to the Endosteal method. The main difference between the subperiosteal method and Endosteal is that the implant rests on the bone but remains beneath the gum. The dentist usually places a metal frame beneath the gum and a post attached to it. This will allow the gum to heal around the frame and create a stronghold. The false teeth are also secured differently since they are attached to the poles coming out of the gum.
This procedure is ideal for patients without enough jawbone that can accommodate an implant or a person who does not want to go through the intensive oral surgery that includes adding bone to the area.
Zygomatic
This is the most complex dental implant of all. It should be recommended if the person in question does not have enough jawbone to accommodate the Endosteal process.
The difference between the zygomatic method and the rest is that the implant is placed on the cheekbone.
Besides these common techniques, there are options that a patient can explore. These options are availed when the dentist concludes that the Zygomatic implant procedure cannot suit you. Most of these options are provided to patients whose jawbone cannot support the implant. The options are as follows:
Bone Augmentation
In this procedure, the dentist restores the bone in the jaw if it cannot support an implant. The process might appear to be impossible, but the use of bone additives to fortify the jawbone is real.
Ridge Expansion
There are possibilities of having a jaw that is not wide enough for an implant. In such a case, the dentist can decide to add graft material to space on your jaw to accommodate the implant. This procedure is considered as ridge expansion. If the dentist concludes that the idea is not suitable, he or she might choose another option.
Sinus Lift
This is another procedure that involves adding bone to the jaw. In this procedure, the dentist will put the additional bone beneath the sinus, if your bone has deteriorated over time.
3D imaging
This procedure is more of a technology used to decide on which implant method that a dentist should use, rather than a dental implantation procedure. The technology allows the dentist to take a 3D model of the jaw and determine the course of implant that is ideal. The use of 3D imaging saves a lot on the time and the recovery time.
Besides the multi-step dental implant procedures, your dentist might suggest other options to meet your specific needs and the health of your jawbone. Some of the options include:
Immediate Load Dental Implants
This procedure is also referred to as same-day implant. The process allows direct placement of a temporary tooth on the same appointment day, similar to a regular dental implant. This option is ideal for someone with enough natural bone that can secure the implant immediately.
Mini Dental Implants( MDIs)
This type of dental implant is also referred to as a narrow or small diameter implant. The implants are of the size of a toothpick and are narrower compared with regular dental implants. Placing this sort of implant is less invasive and is ideal for stabilizing a lower denture.
All-on-4
This procedure is an alternative to placing a top or bottom set of replacement teeth, referred to as a full arch. It involves the placement of four dental implants placed inside the available space to avoid bone grafting. The dentist uses a special abutment to set up a temporary set of teeth on the same day. The patient has to follow a modified diet as soon the gum tissues heal and when the natural bone bonds with the implant. After six months, the patient will have the permanent teeth placed and can resume a normal diet as well.
Types of Materials Used in Dental Implants
Over the years, titanium has been the only material used in making dental implants. However, with the increased technology in dentistry, there has been another material used in dental implants. Every dental material in question should meet the following properties:
- Must be resistant to corrosion and fracturing
- Should appear biocompatible
- Must be sturdy and robust and
- It must be compatible with the physical appearance of the other teeth.
With that in mind, you can probably guess why titanium and zirconium are the most preferred materials. Here is a detailed view of these two materials.
Titanium Dental Implant Materials
Titanium has been the ideal material for a long time. After its finding, it was recognized that titanium metal allows bones to grow, which in turn creates a perfect affinity for your teeth. Ever since its discovery, it has been providing long-lasting results and sells at a reasonable price as well.
Zirconia Dental Implant Materials
Zirconia is a recent invention that is quite promising. Although this material is relatively new, it is starting to gain popularity in dentistry.
Although the two materials have been in the dental implant practice for quite some time, titanium holds its popularity due to the following reasons:
- Titanium implants can be produced in a two-piece system. The two pieces include an abutment on top of the implant and a surgical implant inside the bone. Zirconia does not have such ability, which means its manufacture is always a single piece.
- Titanium is biocompatible meaning that it can fuse with the human bone which is different from Zirconia
- The two system components that titanium has to offer can solve a low bone done deficiency. Therefore, anyone with titanium can still maintain a perfect smile despite experiencing bone loss
Dental Implant Candidacy
Most people are ideal candidates for dental implants. Suitable candidates should have healthy gums and should be old enough to the point of having their jaw stopped growing. One should have enough bone that can support the implant. If you do not have enough bone, you still stand a chance for the implant since there are bone grafting procedures that the dentist can adopt to ensure that the procedure is successful.
It is recommendable to learn about the people who are at risk of dental implants or poor outcomes if the procedure is carried out. Some of the people who are at risk include:
- Those with uncontrolled diabetes
- Smokers
- People suffering from jaw radiation
- People with uncontrolled gum disease
Although there are risks associated with the people stated above, there are still chances of undertaking the procedure if they go through a thorough assessment and treatment for their condition. However, anyone taking certain medications to suppress their immune system would not be ideal candidates at all costs.
Preparation for Dental Implant
Undertaking a dental implant is a process that requires several months and several procedures as well. Therefore, there is a need to undertake a small preparation to ensure that the body is ready for the procedure. Here are typical preparation that one should consider:
- Request for a Comprehensive Dental Check
Taking an examination helps candidates to determine whether there are suitable for the implant. It also gives valuable information about the procedure and a treatment plan for the patient. The dentist will evaluate your medical history, do a visual examination, and take X-rays to assess you.
Once the dentist is done with the examination, he or she will consider a step-by-step implant process based on the following considerations:
- If you have a weak immune system, the dentist will put you under antibiotic medication before and after the oral surgery
- If you are allergic to dental materials or any anesthetic, the dentist will decide to use alternatives
- If you are on medication that will interact negatively with the anesthetic or affect your dental implant surgery, the dentist can consider adjusting the treatment plan
- If your jaw needs preparation, the dentist will decide whether to reshape your jaw or graft your bone to the treatment plan
- If you appear to be extremely healthy, the dentist will choose to use an abutment which requires a single surgery. The dentist can also go to the extent of placing the crown along with the implant and abutment. However, this consideration is rare.
According to the results of the evaluation done by the dentist, he or she will come up with a treatment plan that will consider your needs. The dentist will also take you through the treatment plans that are available and advice on the preparation needed for each procedure.
- Start An Antibiotic Course if Necessary
A dental implant has the risk of infection, which requires the use of drugs to suppress the immune system and prevent the attack. Before such a patient undertakes the implant, he or she must take antibiotics to substitute the immune system.
Due to the same reason, a patient with a chronic condition must take antibiotics before and after the dental implant.
- Prepare Your Body Before the Dental Implant
If you are receiving general anesthesia, you need to fast for about twelve hours before the surgery starts. You should wear loose and comfortable clothes that will help you undertake the procedure comfortably.
- Get Your Jaw Prepared
If the dentist finds it right to prepare your jaw, he or she might decide to improve it in the following ways:
- Do a bone grafting for a jaw that is too soft or thin and cannot hold the implant
- Consider smoothing or reshaping the jaw
- For a large or bulky jaw, the dentist might decide to remove some bone from the jaw
- Remove any impacted teeth found inside the jaw
Soon after the jaw heals, the dentist will carry on with the dental implant process.
- Schedule Your Downtime and Prepare for Aftercare
It is common to experience some soreness and swelling once the implant is complete. As usual, it is important to have rest and heal. Therefore, arrange for some days off from your work and make other arrangements such as:
- Stocking recommended foods that suit your prescribed diet
- Stocking up soft foods and medication for your pain
- Have a one week light schedule after the oral surgery
- Arrange for help around the house chores and childcare for the first two days after surgery
- Find a break from your exercise
- Recovery from Surgery
Although your dental implant is designated for healing, there are possible discomforts that one will experience. These sorts of discomforts include bruising of the gum and face, minor bleeding, and pain at the implant site. These discomforts should persist only for a few days, but if they are too persistent, you should contact your oral surgeon to check whether there is any problem.
During the recovery period, your doctor will suggest a diet that is acceptable to soft food and will not disturb your healing. If you are a high-risk patient, the doctor might recommend pain medication and antibiotics. Ensure that you follow the right prescription to get the best out of the medication.
Aftercare Required For a Dental Implant
Taking care of your dental implant should not stop soon after recovering from surgery. It requires thorough aftercare. There are quite a lot of expectations that one has to meet in dental implant aftercare. Here are detailed aftercare considerations that you need to make.
Cleaning the Dental Implant
Cleaning your dental implant is not different from regular teeth cleaning. You need to use a brush, floss, and use non-alcoholic mouthwash regularly.
However, since dental implants are artificial teeth, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Food particles and bacteria might get stuck around the implant and lead to a plaque if left untreated. Therefore, you should consider getting the following cleaning instruments:
- Floss
- Interproximal brushes
- Oral irrigators
- Gum tissue stimulators
Professional Dental Implant Cleaning
It is recommended to seek expert dental implant cleaning procedure periodically besides the personal effort that one is putting. The dentist will help keep the bacteria away and inspect the overall condition of the implant.
The hygienist usually uses a method known as scaling, which cleans the surface of a tooth deeper and below the gum line. Scaling often removes any buildup of plaque, which cannot be achieved through regular dental cleaning.
You will probably visit the dentist regularly after getting the implant. This will proceed for a while until the adaptation and osseointegration period where you should resume routine dentist visits. This means that you should seek professional cleaning every six months.
Reasons Why One Should Opt for Dental Implant
Despite the kind of tooth loss you are experiencing, getting a dental implant is the way to go and is the most recommended procedure in dentistry. Some of the reasons behind such consideration include:
- Dental Implants Resembles Natural Teeth
The roots of your normal teeth anchor them securely on the jawbone. Implants, also have a permanent attachment with the jawbone. This is achievable since dental implants are made out of titanium, which can fuse with living bone. Therefore, once you have the implant infused in your jaw, it will solidly fuse with your bone after a few months. In that case, the teeth supported by the implant will end up feeling completely natural. Later on, it will be hard to distinguish the artificial teeth replacement with the natural ones.
- Dental Implants are Durable
Since dental implants end up being part of the jawbone, they offer a lasting solution for tooth loss. This is different from other tooth-replacement methods such as bridgework and removable dentures since they require replacement over time, meaning that they do not last for a long time. Therefore, choosing a dental implant would be a long-term solution to your tooth loss.
- Dental Implants are Safe for Adjacent Teeth
Dental implants do not affect the health of other teeth whatsoever. Other tooth replacement methods have an impact on the adjacent teeth and can leave the teeth susceptible to decay. Also, using other methods would cause the adjacent teeth to lose their support over time. However, with dental implants, one does not have to rely on the support of adjacent teeth since dental implants stand on their own after the process.
- Dental Implants Can Aid in Avoiding Bone Loss
Bone loss usually follows after losing a tooth. Bone is living tissue and requires stimulation after tooth loss. Once you lose a tooth, the jawbone starts to melt away and can give a permanent denature of your face and puts you at risk of fractures if not treated for an extended period. However, if one undertakes a dental implant, the process will help restore the bone by fusing with the jawbone and stabilizing it. There is no other tooth replacement method that can guarantee such an advantage.
- It Is Easy To Take Care Of A Dental Implant
Taking care of dental implants is not different from caring about your normal teeth. They require brushing and flossing regularly, but their care is quite easy compared with other tooth-replacement methods. For instance, dentures need one to apply adhesive and special cream on them and soak them overnight. Also, for a bridgework, once must fill the root canal regularly. Such procedures increase the possibility of gum disease, which is avoidable using dental implants. Once you go through adaptation, you will not need to worry about any infection. However, this does not mean that you need to stop with your regular dental care process.
Find a Northridge Dental Implant Center Near Me
There are many considerations that one must make to get the best out of a dental implant. In that case, you need to find a dental implant center that can offer the best services. If you are in Northridge, CA, Northridge Dental Implant Center would be the best pick for your tooth loss replacement. Here you are guaranteed excellent customer services and caring personnel. Contact us at 818-925-9181 to consult one of our dentists.
