Dental Implants: Advantages, Risks & Aftercare

If you have lost teeth – and it’s affecting your confidence and smile — you may be thinking about dental options to replace them. Today, there are a wide range of solutions to restore your smile. 

Whether it’s just one missing tooth or a whole row, dental implants are a secure and permanent way to replace your teeth.

Dental Implants: The Advantages 

Dentures must be removed and cleaned, whereas a dental implant provides a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. 

A dental implant consists of a titanium or ceramic post which is inserted into the jawbone. Once the post has successfully fused with the bone, a dental crown matching your existing teeth is attached to the post. 

Because the dental implant is permanently fixed, the tooth is strong, secure and now part of your smile. Unlike dentures, the implant won’t slip or rub and is not obvious as a replacement for a missing tooth. 

Apart from replacing your teeth, improving your smile and ability to eat, there are some additional benefits. 

More benefits of dental implants

As the implant is inserted into the bone, this helps to maintain bone structure and stimulate the bone which means that your face will appear more youthful. When a missing tooth isn’t replaced, the facial structure can tend to sag as the remaining teeth shift – which can make you look older.

As dental technology has advanced, there are now more options and uses for implants. You can have a single implant — or implants can support a bridge for several missing teeth in a row. 

An entire row of teeth can be replaced by an ‘all-on-four’ dental implant. This is where four or even six implants are used to support the new replacement teeth. You may also hear about a bar-retained denture. This uses even more implants to support a completely new smile!

Who can have an implant?

There are a few things that your dentist will need to consider to ensure that the procedure will be suitable and successful:

• You will need to have sufficient jawbone density to support the dental implant. Remember, the implant needs to be inserted into the jawbone. However, it may be possible to have a bone graft to overcome insufficient bone density.

• You will need to be in good health and without any decay or gum disease. Again, your dentist can check for any oral issues and ensure that any problems are treated prior to the implant.

• You need to avoid tobacco products. The chemicals in tobacco products and smoke can slow down the healing process, so your dentist will advise you to stop smoking and may be able to offer smoking cessation support.

Other considerations

If you are considering teeth whitening, it is best to have this done prior to having the implant. This is because dental crowns are resistant to staining, even whitening. If possible, discuss teeth whitening with your dentist before having the procedure. Once your teeth have been whitened, the implant can be matched more effectively to your natural teeth.

Cleaning and aftercare

Directly after the procedure, it is important to follow your dentist’s advice to help speed up the healing process. The advice is likely to include:

• get plenty of rest

• take antibiotics

• gently clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush 

• avoid hard and acidic foods

• avoid tobacco use

Once the implant is complete and healing has occurred you can treat the implanted teeth just like your own! 

• Brush teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

• For even better oral hygiene, consider using an electric toothbrush as studies have shown they can be more effective.

• Floss once a day to remove any debris trapped between teeth.

• Schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to monitor your teeth, implants and oral health.

You can also ask your dentist for more information about the best types of toothpaste and if mouthwash is recommended.

Is it time for dental implants?

Don’t let lost teeth affect your confidence and self-esteem. If you are avoiding photographs or smiling, you could be missing opportunities to be the very best version of yourself. Talk to your dentist about dental implants –and you could on the way to transforming your smile and possibly your life too!

For further reading please follow the links below:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/are-you-a-good-candidate-for-dental-implants/ https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-dental-implants-are-the-right-choice/ https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/save-your-smile-with-dental-crowns/ https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/can-you-get-professional-teeth-whitening-if-you-have-dental-implants-or-dentures/

https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages-adults/how-to-clean-your-dental-implants/