Dental Implants 101: Types, Procedure, Care, Complications
Missing teeth are unsightly. But, more than that, they damage your bone and cause the remaining teeth to weaken. The gaps in between your gums can cause the teeth to shift to the available spaces. Furthermore, leaving these gaps unfilled, leads to the reabsorption of the alveolar bone. This further weakens the teeth and dental structure. Replacing your teeth is, therefore, crucial for your appearance and dental health.
Fortunately, we have several dental solutions that can help you restore your missing teeth, like dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Teeth implants are titanium screws fixed on the jaw to anchor the artificial teeth. These implants are made of three parts, the implant, the connector, and the dental crown.
Implants offer a more permanent solution, compared to dental bridges. However, for the treatment to be successful, you need to choose a suitable dental implant. The types include:
- Endosteal implants are the traditional implants fixed into the jaw. These implants require sufficient bone support to be fixed.
- Subperiosteal implants are similar but are fixed above the jaw. A metal framework is used to support the implant. These are ideal if you lack the recommended bone density.
- All-on-4 implants are used when you have multiple teeth missing on the upper or lower jaw. The dentist will fix two implants on the top and bottom jaw for support.
Who Can Benefit?
Although implants are great and effective, they are not ideal for everyone. You need to meet the eligibility criteria for the implants to be fixed.
- Your jaw needs to be matured.
- Have healthy gums and teeth.
- There is sufficient bone support.
- You do not smoke. Smoking can impair gum healing and affect the overall, success of the treatment. If you are a heavy smoker, the dentist may recommend a non-invasive dental restoration like bridges.
- You do not have pre-existing dental and health problems that may interfere with the implant surgery.
How Are the Implants Fixed?
The implant surgery needs a few dental visits that are spread across several months. The procedure is done in steps that include:
- Examination and planning
- Fixing the implants
- Placing the abutment
- Fixing the crowns
Our dentist in Astoria, NY, will first examine your teeth, gum, and bone support. He will also do a comprehensive assessment to determine your eligibility for an implant. The dentist will also evaluate which dental implant is best for you.
Bone support is crucial to the success of dental implant surgery. If you lack the recommended density, the dentist will recommend a bone graft.
This is a surgical procedure done to stimulate new bone growth. The dentist will take granules from your body or cadaver and fix them on the affected area. It can take about 12 months for a new bone to grow and the jaw to be ready for the implant procedure. The bone graft procedure is done first before the surgery can begin.
Your teeth are cleaned to get rid of plaque buildup from the gum line. Next, the dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the gums. At times, dental sedation is used to calm you if you have dental phobia.
An incision is made on the gums to access the jaw. The jaw is then drilled to fix the implant, and gums are stitched to facilitate healing. The dentist may cover the jaw with temporary dentures to cover the area and protect it.
During this time, the bone and implant fuse. This is an important process because if they don’t fuse, the implants may not become stable.
The abutment is used to connect the implant and the dental crown. It is fixed after the bone and implant fuse. The dentist will then take an impression of your teeth to make the crowns.
The dental crowns can either be fixed or removable. For the fixed crowns, the dentist screws or cements them in place.
Are The Implants Covered by Insurance?
Generally, implants are not insurance covered. But, you may get coverage under your medical plan depending on your insurance plan or cause of tooth loss.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Dimaggio Dental for more information on dental implants, the techniques used, and what to expect.