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Dental implants are medical replacements for missing teeth, such as dental crowns, dentures, or bridges. They can improve your appearance by closing gaps in your smile and filling out your facial profile the way teeth do, but their benefits are far more than cosmetic. They can also help keep your mouth and jawbone healthy, preserve nearby teeth, and improve your quality of life.
Read on to learn more about what dental implants are, how they’re placed, and how to take care of them!
Understanding Dental Implants
Dental implants are medical devices that your dentist implants into your jaw. Often, they replace the roots of your teeth with metal posts that look a bit like screws. When surgically implanted into your jaw, these devices can replace missing or damaged teeth in both looks and in function. You’ll be able to eat and chew just as you would with natural teeth.
There are several types of dental implants designed to handle the unique needs of every patient. These include:
Endosteum Implants:
- These are the most common dental implants. These are the metal posts implanted into the jaw, which then secure artificial teeth that match your natural ones.
Subperiosteal Implants:
- These implants sit on the jawbone, but beneath the layer of gums. Artificial teeth are attached to posts, or poles, that attach to a metal frame beneath the gums and rise up from there.
Zygoma Implants:
- These are usually chosen if the patient doesn’t have enough jawbone for other implants. These implants are placed into a patient’s cheekbone, instead of their jawbone, and secured there.
Dentists have ways to build up or augment your jawbone to help secure dental implants. These include:
- Bone Augmentation: Helps to restore and rebuild the bone with additives and growth factors so it can support implants.
- Ridge Expansion: Helps to expand narrow jaws so they can support implants by adding a bone graft.
- Sinus Lift: If your upper jaw doesn’t have enough healthy bone to support implants, your dentist may recommend raising the floor of your sinus to add bone and make room for implants.
Your dentist can advise you on the best type of implant for you. They may discuss options that include:
- All-On-4 Implants: These are used to place a full set of replacement teeth on just four implants.
- Mini Dental Implants: Toothpick-sized implants that can work for patients with too much jawbone loss, or who need dentures secured.
- Immediate-Load Dental Implants: These are same-day implants that allow you to place your implants and have a new set of temporary teeth the same day.
The dental implant process begins with an initial consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. If you are, the implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone and left to heal for several months, during which time the bone fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration.
After the healing process is complete, an abutment is attached to the implant post, and a dental crown or bridge is affixed to the abutment to complete the restoration. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to ensure the success of the implant and to maintain good oral health.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Caring for your dental implants is a lot like caring for natural teeth! Patients who receive implants should brush their teeth twice a day using a brush with soft bristles. You should also choose a toothpaste that’s formulated for dental implants.
Be certain to also floss your teeth to remove food particles and built-up plaque. Select a flosser that is made to work with dental implants. Rinse your mouth between meals with an implant-friendly antiseptic mouthwash.
It’s vital to have regular check-ups with your dental professional. This will allow them to monitor your healing process and ensure your implants haven’t sustained damage or wear.
Common Issues with Dental Implants
While dental implants have an extremely high success rate, complications can arise. The most common issues with dental implants include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Micro-movement
- Loose implants
- Protrusion into the sinus cavity
- Nerve damage
- Rare allergic reactions
Watch for these signs that you may have issues with your dental implants:
- Severe pain or discomfort
- Difficulty chewing
- A feeling of looseness in your implant or replaced tooth
- Gum inflammation or recession
- Swelling
Your Burbank dentist can help treat complications with implants. Treatments often include cleaning the area, removing the implants and building up the area, and trying new implants.
Foods to Avoid with Dental Implants
While you are healing from receiving dental implants, you should refrain from eating certain foods. Avoid crunchy or hard foods, as well as sticky foods, extremely hot or cold foods, or very acidic foods. You should also avoid alcohol and tobacco products. After you have healed, you may choose to avoid foods that might stain your implants, such as coffee or tea.
Healthy eating is essential to patients who have received dental implants. Good nutrition helps to promote good bone health, which will keep your implants going strong! Enjoy bone healthy foods that are high in calcium such as tofu, nuts, fish, and dairy foods.
Maintaining a Beautiful Smile with Dental Implants
Dental implants both help your face maintain a strong profile and give you a bright, dazzling smile! To keep your smile healthy after you receive dental implants, avoid potentially staining foods such as coffee or tea. Also avoid tobacco products, which can both stain your new teeth and lead to implant health issues. Don’t forget to brush and floss!
Regular dental care has benefits for everyone, including people with dental implants. Your Toluca Lake dentist can clean and polish your implants, plus ensure they’re in the best shape possible.
Conclusion
Toluca Dental implants can give you a huge boost to your quality of life. They can help you restore the ability to chew, fill gaps in your smile, and restore your facial profile. Taking good care of your dental implants will ensure they will continue to improve your life for the long haul. Schedule an appointment with us and start loving your smile!
