Think of a dental implant as a replacement “tooth root” that supports your beautiful new teeth. Dental implants perform MUCH better than dentures. Explore our site to learn more about this almost miraculous treatment.
TYPES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS:
1. Single Tooth Implant – can be used for replacing one or a few teeth
2. Multiple Tooth Implants – recommended for people who have several damaged teeth in a consecutive row, regardless of their position.
3. Full Mouth Reconstruction – a comprehensive rehabilitation therapy and process that involves not only teeth but treatment of the entire mouth
Dental Implant recovery time and healing can be reduced by following certain important aftercare tips. Keeping these in mind will help healing happen much faster and without pain and discomfort.
Medication for pain relief and swelling:
Manage discomfort and swelling of the gums by taking pain relief medication. Your dental surgeon or dentist will surely prescribe some medications, so you need to take these according to the directions. Even if you feel that the discomfort can be managed, you should still take the medication because by the evening this could get worse, or swelling can intensify.
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salty water:
Salt is known for its beneficial healing effect, and if you want to speed up recovery you should rinse your mouth regularly with salt water. Rinse about 2 to three times per day with the lukewarm salt water mix, and this will help greatly in reducing the swelling and discomfort. In one cup of warm water, add one teaspoon of salt and stir well.
Brushing your teeth very gently:
Even though you just got your dental implants, respecting the daily dental care regimen is extremely important. Now is the time when infections and food particles need to be kept away, so you need to brush your teeth with an extremely soft bristled brush.
Apply circular gentle motions, and be careful with the sensitive area where you have the stitches. After you brush, remember to rinse with the salt water rinse. This way, all the bacteria are nicely removed and the healing process happens much faster and more efficient.
A good idea would be to use a special toothpaste or mouthwash which contain only natural extracts, and no chemicals or abrasive, harsh ingredients.
What can you eat while dental implants are healing?
It is highly advisable that you will switch to a soft food diet after getting your implants. This way, you will not apply pressure on your gums and teeth, and your digestion will still work very well. Yogurts, fresh vegetables and fruit juices, puddings, purees, are all foods that can be consumed with confidence after the dental implant surgery. If you will also try to eat plenty of healthy foods, you will heal much faster too.
It is extremely important to take a lot of care during the dental implant healing process. Give your system the time to heal, and give your body the healthy nutrients it needs to accelerate healing. Your mouth needs to be kept as clean as possible, this is why brushing and rinsing is recommended three times per day.
With proper care you can be confident that your dental implants will be strong, stable, and durable and will last many years.
New Report Concludes that Dental Implants Can Save Costs and Improve Quality of Life
A report published as the lead article in the Mar-April 2013 International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants shows that dental implants offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments for tooth replacement.
The report, which is also cited on PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine located at the National Institutes of Health, is based on a systematic review of all available studies published in English between 2000 and 2010 relating to the cost-effectiveness of various tooth-replacement options. In total, 14 studies on long-term dental implant costs vs traditional costs were included in the final review, which yielded the following conclusions:
For single-tooth implant replacement, implant-based solutions were generally cost-saving or cost-effective in comparison with traditional tooth-borne prostheses (bridges).
For patients with full dentures, dental implant solutions were associated with higher initial costs than traditional (non-fixed) dentures. However, the consensus of most studies was that, over the long term, dental implants represent a cost-effective treatment option.
Dental Implants Improve Quality of Life
Additionally, patient acceptance, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for dental implants were high, particularly in elderly patients who had no teeth. A trend toward overall improved oral-health-related quality of life and decreased overall health care costs was also reported.
A key objective of this review was to conduct an extensive literature search and to consolidate all the relevant findings into one document that could serve as a single point of reference for healthcare professionals and patients. The fact that it has been published by a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal endorses the quality of the authors’ research.
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
Dental implants are artificial roots (usually titanium) and teeth that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and always enhance or restore a patient’s smile! Normal chewing function is a tremendous benefit that is only provided by dental implants, when replacing removable partial or full dentures.
What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?
The process of getting implants may require a number of visits over several months.
X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. Then, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months. Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With some implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time. The process is done with appropriate sedation and use of local anesthetics, making the procedure a comfortable and even pleasant experience.
You can be confident that your dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, as long as natural teeth – a life time.
There are many good things people say about dental implants, and their advantages over other tooth replacements. But before scheduling your appointment to get them, let us first review some basic information about dental implants.
First, what are dental implants? Dental implants are root-like devices shaped like a screw, and generally made of titanium. These “tooth roots” are surgically inserted into the jawbone, when there is enough bone to ensure ample anchorage. After healing, a restoration tooth is attached in order to replace a tooth or a set of teeth. They are permanent and very durable and they look and feel like natural teeth, making them very popular.
One other good thing about dental implants is the fact that there are no limitations with age for you to have them. Children to the elderly with missing teeth can get them. However, they must be cleared of any contraindicated conditions like uncontrolled diabetes and bone cancer.
If you are concerned with surgery, do not worry. During the procedure, an effective sedative and local anesthetic will be used to make sure you are free from any discomfort. You will also be given medications to ensure comfort after surgery.
Dental implants are the most successful procedures in dentistry. However, there are several factors that may affect the long-term success of dental implants. First, is the quality and quantity of the jawbone. The better the quality of bone and with appropriate bone height and width, the higher the chance of long-term success. Another factor is the quality of the restoration used on top of the implant. Only the best materials and procedures should be used. And lastly, is the capability and experience of the dental surgeon who will perform the implantation. There is no substitute to ensuring the right doctor to do the best surgery for you. It is always best that you feel confident with the professional to whom you are entrusting your health.
So, you ask now, who can place a dental implant? Dental implantation can be done by a periodontist, an oral surgeon, or a general dentist (implantologist) properly trained in implant surgery. If you go to a periodontist or an oral surgeon, you will also have to see a restorative dentist because periodontists and oral surgeons normally specialize in dental implants, while the general dentist (implantologist) may be the one to construct and put on the crown (cap). But, with implantologists, both the surgical insertion of the implant and the attachment of the tooth or teeth is completed in one location, which can be a huge benefit.
Maintenance of dental implants is not unlike natural teeth. Professional cleaning and examination, twice per year is recommended. And, of course, nothing beats daily brushing and flossing to maintain not just your implants, but your overall oral and general health.
For further information about dental implants, contact Auburn Dental Implants at 334-246-5800 or fill out a contact request form.
