Are you embarrassed by missing teeth? Can't bear the thought of dentures?
Dental implants are growing in popularity as they are an excellent option for tooth replacement for many people. If you have one or more missing permanent teeth and have a healthy jaw, you might be a candidate.
The dental implant procedure takes some time, but the success rate of these implants is very high.
If your dentist recommends this procedure to you, you will need to know what to expect. Read on to find out exactly what dental implant procedures are all about.
Assessment
Your dentist is your first stop. There you will have an initial exam that will include x-rays, a general health intake and medication review, and taking impressions. The dentist will also do a color match of your teeth.
From this information, you and your dental pro will put together a specific treatment plan that includes how many appointments you will need, what kind of pain relief you would like, and the type of anesthesia.
Make sure you are aware of all costs and consider all options in your area. For example, Affordable Dental Implants in St. Louis offers an affordable and easy payment plan for dental implants.
Should you need any tooth extraction or a bone graft before your procedure, this will take place first by your oral surgeon, working in tandem with your dentist.
Before Your Dental Implant Procedure
You might need to take antibiotic medication before your procedure to keep any infection away.
If you are having local anesthesia, you can have a light meal a few hours prior. but if you are having an IV sedation, you will need to stop eating after midnight the night before.
The procedure takes place in your dentist's or surgeon's office as an outpatient, and will actually consist of a couple of appointments over time.
During Procedure
In the first appointment, the implant is placed in your mouth. Fully numb, an incision is made in the gum so the implant can be placed in your jaw. The gum goes over the implant and covers it for healing.
After this initial procedure, a few months must pass, so that your jaw bone fuses to the titanium implant.
The second procedure is the addition of the abatement, which is a piece that connects the implant to the crown of the new tooth. After fully healing from this phase, impressions will be made of your teeth, in preparation for the new crown. In the final procedure, the crown is attached, and you have a new tooth!
After Procedure
Each procedure has a short recovery period, depending on the kind of anesthesia and the extent of the procedure.
There might be swelling and bruising around the implant site, and some pain. You can treat this with ice packs and over-the-counter medications. Eating soft foods and keeping good oral hygiene is important right after a procedure.
Cost and Success Rate
Dental implant procedure costs in 2020 vary on where you live and the dentist, but dental insurance may cover at least some of those costs. Dental implants have a success rate of up to 99 percent.
Dental implants are an investment, but the reward is a full, beautiful smile!
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