Dental implants are a restorative procedure in which the synthetic tooth is fitted into the jaw bone like a natural tooth. Dental implants are resilient, and they don't require any brackets, wires or plates.
Dental implants feel the most natural of all the restoration options.
Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery understands that dental implants can be confusing, especially for patients who have been using another form of artificial teeth.
Our team has compiled some frequently asked questions.
How Does it Work?
Dental implants are made of three parts. The titanium implant is placed into the jawbone where the tooth socket used to be.
The abutment is put into the implant and acts as a connector between the implant and crown. The crown is the tooth-like segment that is typically made of porcelain or resin.
The procedure is typically done in two appointments: the placing of the implant, and the placing of the abutment and crown.
However, it is possible to do them all in one appointment, or each of them separately, depending on the patient’s individual requirements.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Placing the implant takes between 1 and 2 hours, and then the patient must wait for the implant to properly fuse with the bone before placing the crown and abutment.
Our oral surgeon will take measurements of our patients’ oral cavity in order to have a custom-fit crown made.
It can take 1 to 3 months for the bone to heal around the implant, but our oral surgeon will place a temporary crown until the custom-fit one can be placed.
Alternatively, the crown and abutment can be placed on the same day, but this is a slightly different procedure and requires the molding of the crown prior to the appointment.
Can I Have Implants?
Almost any patient can have implants, especially healthy patients.
Complications emerge in patients with chronic illnesses, where the healing process is hindered.
Patients with diabetes have a slower healing process, which makes the fusing of the implant to the bone more difficult.
Patients with periodontitis may not have sufficient jawbone mass for the implant to be placed.
They will need to have a bone graft prior to their dental implant, and this can add anywhere from 2 to 12 months to the treatment plan.
How Long Do They Last?
Dental implants can last over 25 years, making them very resilient. The porcelain crowns are worn down at the same rate as normal teeth.
Are They Removable?
Dental implants are non-removable.
While some patients may see this permanency as a downside, it creates a no-hassle restorative procedure that is not likely to suffer loss or damage.
Other appliances, like dentures, can be dropped and easily broken, but dental implants act like normal teeth and do not need to be removed at night.
Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery believes that dental implants host a number of benefits, and they can give the patient the natural feeling of a tooth.
To find out more about dental implants and if you qualify as a candidate, call our office today at 657-384-2787!