Commonly Asked Questions about Dental Implants | FAQs
If you have missing teeth, you’ll agree they can be a nuisance. Not only do they damage your smile and confidence, but will also impair your dental structure. This is because the surrounding teeth shift to the available spaces and weaken the teeth and the structure. Fortunately, we have several dental restoration treatments that can restore your teeth’ function among them are the dental implants.
1. What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts that are usually made of titanium and are surgically fixed on the jaw bone. The implants are made of three parts; a screw, an abutment, and a dental crown.
Compared to other restorative dental treatments, dental implants help to protect the jaw structure. This is because they tend to fuse to the bone. Other benefits include improved dental appearance, self-confidence, oral health, and speech.
2. What Are The Available Dental Implant Options?
Several dental implant options are available that you can choose based on your dental health, bone density, and the number of teeth missing. Some of the implants options include:
- Endosteal Implants: These are the conventional dental implants used to restore one or multiple teeth individually. These implants are fixed on the jaw bone.
- Subperiosteal Implants: These implants are similar to the endosteal, but they are fixed above the jaw bone, but underneath the gums.
- 3i Dental Implants: These are corn-shaped screws that are fixed similarly to the rest of the implants. But, the one advantage of these implants is that you do not need a bone graft to increase your bone density.
- All-on-4 Implants: These implants are great if you have multiple teeth. They also do not require a bone graft as they are fixed on the available bone. Our dentist in Huntington will fix two implants on both jaws to anchor the dentures or bridges.
3. How Are the Dental Implants Fixed?
Dental implants in Huntington are fixed in two dental visits, but the process is done in different phases:
Step 1: Preparation and Mapping of the Treatment Procedure
Before our dentist in Huntington, NY, fixes the dental implants, a thorough dental assessment is done. Using modern dental tools such as x-rays, the dentist will examine the teeth, gums, and bone density.
It is important to inform the dentist of your medical and medication history.
At this stage, the dentist will discuss the treatment plan. The course of treatment will depend on your dental health.
Step 2: Fixing Dental Implants
At Smile Huntington we offer the 3i dental implants, which are fixed similarly to the rest of the implants. The dentist will drill the jaw bone to fix the implants. The bone and implant need to fuse for the artificial teeth to be supported well. With 3i dental implants, the fusing process is faster compared to conventional implants. This is because they contain calcium phosphate. The other implants are sprayed with the compound instead.
The abutment is fixed 10 to 12 weeks after the procedure is done, and the gums have healed completely. A dental impression is then taken to mold the permanent crowns.
Step 3: Placement of the Crowns
The dentist will remove the temporary crowns and replace them with permanent ones. These crowns are screwed in place.
4. What Should You Expect After Treatment?
After the teeth implants are fixed, you may experience swelling of the gums, pain in the area of the implant, and injury of the surrounding soft tissues. These dental problems clear after some time, but the dentist may prescribe pain relievers.
5. Can Dental Implants Fail?
Rarely do the dental implants in Huntington fail, because they have a high success rate. However, there is a five percent possibility that the implants can fail because of several causes such as:
- Nerve damage around the implant area
- Pain and swelling
- Infection of the surgical area
- Rejection of the implant. If the bone and implant do not fuse properly, the body may end up rejecting the implant.
Take Away
The dental implants are durable and can last to more than two decades. Visit Smile Huntington for more information about dental implants. Book an appointment now.