When Is It Time to Consider Dental Implants?

When Is It Time to Consider Dental Implants?

Sep 01, 2019

Although many don’t realize it, dental implant insurance is often an essential procedure that almost every individual in the United States will need to undergo at some point in their life. During this procedure, a rotting, infected, or decayed tooth is removed and replaced with a synthetic version that has long, metal screw-like structures for the roots. The metal roots are embedded deep within the gums and frequently connected to the jawbone. This sounds terrifying to some, but it is actually a crucial operation that helps people regain regular oral function so they can perform tasks like talking, chewing, and eating without pain.

Why Dental Implant Surgery Is Performed

As mentioned before, the primary purpose of receiving a dental implant is to get one’s typical function back following the loss of one or more teeth to damage or infection. Because the implant is surgically placed in the jawbone, it does not come loose and is not meant to be taken in an out like partial or full dentures. The materials also do not decay, making them highly prized for someone who worries about the future of their oral health.

There are many reasons why dental implant surgery might need to be performed, and the frequency of the procedure varies among the young and elderly. While teenagers and young adults might need to get an implant because they cracked a tooth or lost it in an accident, many elderly patients require replacement because their teeth naturally weakened and slowly decayed or fell out. These implants work well for people who:

  • Don’t smoke tobacco or other substances
  • Have adequate bone growth and development in the jawbone
  • Have healthy oral tissues (gums)
  • Want to improve their speech and chewing
  • Are willing to under several months of appointments to get the procedure

How to Prepare and What to Expect

When someone is planning for dental implant surgery, they often have to see a variety of specialists to determine the overall health and structure of the jawbone and existing gum tissues. The spatial relationship of any remaining teeth will also need to be checked, and sometimes people will undergo an ear, nose, and throat exam to see the risks of developing an infection. Overall, the planning could mean making appointments to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a periodontist, a prosthodontist, and an ENT specialist.

During the appointments and procedure itself, the process is simple to read but can be quite complicated. First, you need to make an appointment with a dentist to have the teeth checked and discuss the procedure. You may have dental x-rays and 3D images, and specialists will make detailed models of your jaw and teeth to prepare a mold for the implants. Afterward, the plan will be tailored to your needs and unique medical history to avoid any unwanted problems or side effects during treatment.

During the procedure itself, patients are typically given a local or general anesthesia to control pain. Patients often only feel the pressure of the work being performed and nothing else. Multiple procedures are conducted to pull or eliminate damaged teeth that need to be replaced; prepare the jawbone; place the implant itself; allow time for bone growth and healing; place an abutment, and then place any artificial teeth. You might need to wear a temporary tooth or implant to keep the site ready for the real implant when it is done being made. The whole process can take as little as a month or as long as four months depending on your oral health.

Where to Receive Dental Implants

The only place an individual should receive this surgery is at a qualified dentist’s office. There are often numerous providers of dental implants near you, including in locations like Astoria and NYC. To find the best Dental Implant surgery or specialist, be prepared to read many reviews and determine which providers will accept your insurance plan. Because the implant process can take months and multiple visits, it’s important to ensure you have adequate coverage or can otherwise manage the costs of the procedures.

For someone seeking a qualified dental implant specialist in New York City, one of the best places to go is Dimaggio Dental. For more information, contact the office and determine whether it’s time to get implants.