Making The Case For Dental Implants: A Win-Win Situation

If you've been considering dental implants or had them recommended to you by a professional, you no doubt have questions. Here are the most important details, to assist you in making your decision.

What's Involved With Dental Implants?

Following an extraction of your old tooth, if it remains, your dental professional will surgically place an anchor and a post in place of it within the gums. The anchor (most often made of titanium) is self-explanatory and functions exactly as you would expect, while the post serves as a place holder for the new tooth. Both may be installed in the same procedure, or you and your dentist may opt for two separate appointments.

Either way, your mouth should completely heal within a period of approximately three months, following which the ceramic crown will be placed over the post, attached by an abutment.

Does The Procedure Hurt?

Although you are apt to experience tenderness in the affected area for a couple of days, the procedure itself will involve anesthesia, either local or general, thus pain should not be a factor. If your gums are particularly sore, you may be prescribed a pain killer to carry you through until the discomfort subsides.

How Do You Care For Dental Implants?

Fortunately, there's no special regimen required for your new tooth or teeth; oral health care should follow your regular routine, consisting of brushing, flossing, rinsing with an antibacterial solution and annual dental examinations.

What Is Life After Implants Like?

Once all is said and done, your new smile should be less inhibited, due to the fact that you now have no missing or corrupted teeth. Your ability to speak clearly may be improved, as a full set of teeth play an important role in how your mouth forms words. If your implants were to replace dentures, you should feel much more comfortable, because they are closer to natural teeth. Additionally, eating will be easier and more efficient.

Your long-term oral health will also improve with implants, since surrounding teeth were not reduced or otherwise changed, and proper care can resume nearly immediately, particularly between teeth. Implants are not only built to last, but the individual components are designed to be replaced and restructured as needed, such as when additional teeth are in need of removal. Thus, your new smile is something to have confidence in for now and many years to come.

While the decision to have implants is yours alone, considering that they have an impressive 98 percent success rate, along with all the other benefits, the choice is obvious: Your smile, health and attitude will be greatly improved, and nothing should stand in your way of that.