Losing one or several teeth is more than a cosmetic concern: It can be the start of a chain of events that will severely affect your oral and overall health. By acting promptly and visiting a Chicago dentist, you can get dental implants that will put a stop to all of these unwanted consequences.
Dental implants are the only restorative dentistry treatment that prevents jawbone loss while helping you restore your mouth’s functionalities. To help you learn more about this treatment and the possibilities it has to offer you, we came up with this guide.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a restorative dentistry treatment that can restore a lost tooth, promote jawbone health, and last for years to come. It achieves this by inserting an artificial tooth root into your jawbone, providing increased stability against the chewing forces exercised by teeth and offering stimulation to your bone.
Because of this, implants are very popular among tooth replacement options. In fact, more than 5 million dental implant procedures are performed in the U.S. every year. The secret to this treatment's effectiveness lies in its structure.
There are three parts in the body of a dental implant, serving different functions:
- The screw, also known as an implant, acts as the tooth's substitute root.
- The post that connects the crown and implant screw is called the abutment.
- The crown, which mimics the form and appearance of your natural teeth, is the "fake" tooth that sits atop the abutment.
Besides this increased durability, implants offer several benefits. Let’s go over some of them.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Because the screw needs to be surgically inserted in the jawbone, implant dentistry is an extensive treatment. Still, it’s worthwhile as it can provide a natural-looking and natural-feeling replacement that lasts for many years.
Some of the benefits of dental implants:
- Being able to eat and speak normally.
- Having a natural-looking, complete smile.
- Providing independent support that lessens the strain on your natural teeth.
- Preserving jawbone density.
- Reducing the appearance of aging, as jawbone loss can cause sagging in your bone structure.
- Prevents the loss of jaw height.
- Simple to maintain and clean.
- Long-lasting solution. With proper care, implants can last between 15 and 25 years.
Types of Dental Implants
There are several types of dental implants available, depending on your needs and your smile’s condition. Some of them are:
- Single Tooth Implant: This is an ideal solution when you’re missing only one tooth. A dental crown is connected to the implant screw to offer aesthetics, comfort, and natural function.
- Implant-Supported Bridge: When there are two or more missing teeth close to each other, an implant-supported bridge becomes an option. Instead of a natural tooth, the implant acts as an anchor for the bridge, restoring your smile while preventing decay on the supporting tooth.
- Full Denture Dental Implants: These are recommended when a patient is looking for a secure solution for many missing teeth. By inserting four or more strategically placed implants, you can attach an entire upper or lower line of teeth, getting a permanent, complete restoration.
Step-by-Step Process for Dental Implants
During the surgical placement of dental implants, a local anesthetic is used to numb your mouth. The actual procedure takes roughly 90 minutes, but since you typically need several dental visits, the entire process could take up to 6 to 12 months.
Depending on how many implants you get, the process can be broken down into several steps, such as:
1. Initial Consultation
In the first consultation, a dental professional will assess your mouth extensively to ensure you’re a good candidate for implant dentistry.
Not everyone can get a dental implant. Smokers, patients with diabetes, or people who don’t have overall good dental health are at increased risk of implant failure and may need to recover their condition before starting.
To conduct this examination, we will assess your mouth’s condition, take X-rays, and create 3D images of your mouth to help plan the procedure.
2. Bone Grafting
Because implants involve inserting a screw in the jawbone, your jawbone needs to be healthy and strong enough to undergo this procedure.
The problem is that missing teeth lead to weaker bones, as the jawbone starts losing teeth without the stimulation your natural root provides. If we notice you have a soft or thin jawbone, we may recommend bone grafting before surgery.
This treatment involves applying bone tissue or similar substances to your jawbone to foster healing, increase the amount of bone, and guarantee that the implant procedure does not fail.
3. Implant Placement
In the actual procedure, the oral surgeon cuts the gums to reveal the bone. A periodontist or oral surgeon then punctures the bone. The implant is inserted deeply into the bone, serving as the tooth's root.
When restoring a front tooth, the dentist will use a temporary, removable solution to fill the gap while the implant heals beneath the gum line. If it is a back tooth, we won’t cover it.
4. Healing and Growth
Once the metal implant has been placed in your jawbone, a few months must pass to allow for the osseointegration process. During this time, the supporting bone starts to bond with the implant, which is made out of titanium, a biocompatible metal.
This procedure guarantees that the implant's base is strong enough to hold an artificial tooth.
5. Abutment Placement
Once the healing process is finished, your dentist will attach an abutment to the implant post. The abutment extends the implant above the gums, making it easier to place the dental crown.
6. Crown Placement
Your dentist will take fresh impressions of your mouth once the implant has grown into the bone and is sturdy enough to sustain chewing.
Then, a dental technician will use them to make a custom dental crown in a lab that resembles your natural teeth and, more importantly, fits precisely.
Get Dental Implants from a Chicago Dentist
Dental implants are a long, complex treatment that requires several visits to the dental office and healing time—but it’s all worth it when you consider its durability and effectiveness.
If you enjoy overall dental health and are missing a tooth, you may be an ideal candidate for dental implants. Contact 3020 Dental Implants to find out if that’s the case for you!
