Dental implants are the go-to solution for restoring your smile and regaining confidence after tooth loss. They offer a permanent solution that mimics the function and appearance of natural teeth. If you are missing one or multiple teeth, this guide explains everything you need about dental implants, from the types available to the benefits, risks, and recovery process.

Overview of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a much sought-after solution to tooth loss. While regular dentures are simply inserted on the gum line, implants comprise screws that are inserted into the jaw bones to support artificial teeth. Implants help you regain your chewing and speaking ability and maintain the shape of your face. They prevent the bone from shrinking after tooth extraction.

These implants integrate with your bone through osseointegration. The integration makes the implant mimic the natural tooth in terms of comfort and stability instead of dentures. Implants can be used when you have one or more missing teeth to support a bridge or to hold a complete set of dentures.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dentures sit on the exterior of your gum line and need adhesives and adjustments to fit properly. Dentures may become loose and cause discomfort when eating and speaking. They also do not prevent bone density, which can cause a change in facial structure.

Conversely, dental implants are fixed into your jawbone and become part of your body. They will not slide, change colors, or wear and will need replacement in a few months. Therefore, this becomes the perfect long-term treatment option for many clients.

Implants are permanent fixtures, so long as they are taken good care of, while dentures are replaced or adjusted every few years. Even though dentures are cheaper and faster to place than dental implants, they are less functional, aesthetically pleasing, or long-lasting.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants come in two main types, each serving different needs depending on the patient's bone structure and overall health. These are:

Endosteal Implant

Endosteal implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, and they resemble screws, cylinders, or blades. After such surgery, the implant acts as a root to support a crown, bridge, or a set of dentures.

These implants depend on osseointegration, where the implant becomes a part of your bone as time goes on, so healthy bone mass is needed. The results show a natural and strong dental base resembling the patient’s first teeth. This choice provides the highest level of stability and sturdiness for most people.

Subperiosteal Implant

Not all patients have sufficient bone density to support endosteal implants. That is where subperiosteal implants come in handy.

Subperiosteal implants are positioned on the outer surface of the jawbone but beneath the mucosal flap that forms the gum. A metal frame is situated right under the gum, and as the tissue begins to heal, the frame will become bonded to the bone. This type of implant is usually advised for patients with poor bone quality who cannot undergo bone graft surgery.

Dental Implant Benefits

Dental implants have many advantages, including the following:

  • Better ability to chew. With implants, eating becomes difficult when you have missing teeth because certain foods cannot be consumed. As with other dental implants, you regain normal chewing ability and can eat without any worries. Unlike dentures that wobble or cause discomfort while eating, implants are anchored firmly on your jaw to give you the power to bite and chew your desired foods.
  • Better ability to talk. People with missing teeth or those who wear ill-fitting dentures may have problems with slurring, mumbling, or articulation. Dental implants provide a better chance to speak fluently since patients obtain stability for clear speech.
  • More comfort. Dental implants connect to your jawbone, so they feel like your normal teeth when you chew food. So, the inconvenience of removable dentures or the irritation they cause after some time is not an issue to worry about.
  • Improve your general oral hygiene. Unlike the traditional bridges, dental implants are screwed into your bone, meaning that no adjacent teeth need to be ground down to support the implant. It also ensures that your oral health is well enhanced because it allows you to retain the natural arrangement of the remaining teeth. Since the implants are like real teeth, they can be cleaned, minimizing the risk of infection or decay.
  • Better appearance. Dental implants improve a person's aesthetics because they are designed to look like other teeth. Made from titanium and designed to resemble the color and form of natural teeth, implants are a discreet but effective way to enhance one's appearance. Some patients struggle to differentiate between an implant and a natural tooth.
  • Durability. Implants are durable and long-lasting, with a life expectancy of sixty years. Indeed, they are more durable than other restorative procedures, such as bridges and dentures, which often need replacement or adjustments after a few years.
  • Protect against bone loss. If you lose a tooth, the bone in the region starts to break down after some time. Dental implants promote the growth of the jawbone, thus helping you avoid this loss of bone tissue and maintain the shape of your face. If you do not have an implant, your face looks sunken as the bone degenerates, and you look older.

The Ideal Candidate For Dental Implant

Many people with tooth loss can be candidates for dental implants. However, some factors are important regarding whether you are right for implants. Potential candidates for dental implants include the following:

  • People without gum diseases
  • Those with sufficient bone tissue quantity. Dental implants work on the concept of osseointegration, the connection of the implant with the bone of the jaw, which is like a natural tooth root. If insufficient bone supports the implant, you can rebuild the area through bone grafting.
  • Healthy people. Some diseases, like diabetes or heart disease, can prevent the body from healing and integrating the implant.
  • People who observe good oral hygiene. If you have problems with dental care or have ever had poor dental care, you should change your dental care routine before having implants fixed.

Dental Implant Procedure

The process of having dental implants fixed is a multi-step process.

How To Prepare For Dental Implant Surgery

To achieve optimal results from dental implant surgery, a lot of planning is required before the surgery is undertaken. Your dentist will examine your mouth and may use an X-ray or a CT scan to check the bone quality and the ideal positioning of the implant. In this particular evaluation, your dentist discusses your medical history. These include issues such as diabetes, smoking, and any other condition that may affect the success rate of the implant.

Sometimes, before implant surgery, you may undergo bone grafting. If you have a condition that prevents your jawbone from having the density needed to support an implant, you will need a bone graft to add bone where the implant is to be placed. This initial step may take longer to ensure a stable and successful implant. This process requires several months on average, so mental preparation must not be overlooked.

What To Expect During Your Dental Implant Procedure

Generally, three main steps are involved in the dental implant procedure, all of which aim to make the implant fit perfectly in the jawbone and act like a natural tooth.

  1. First Stage

In this stage, the actual implant is inserted into your jawbone. This step is performed surgically when the patient is under local anesthesia or sedation.

Your dentist cuts your gum to gain access to the bone. They then drill a hole in the bone to accommodate the titanium screw that is used as the root. The gum is sutured once the implant is placed, and the healing process starts.

Here, the implant is surrounded by bone in a process known as osseointegration. Depending on the body tissue's recovery rate, it usually takes three to six months.

  1. Second Stage

The second stage comes when the implant has anchored itself to the bone of the lower jaw. Here, your dentist reopens the gum to fix a connector piece called the abutment to the implant. The abutment is the connection between the implant and the final restoration, which is the tooth. After this, your gums need time to heal, which might take several weeks.

  1. Third Stage

The last step is to put your individual replacement tooth or crown on the abutment created for this purpose. This crown is made to fit the shape, size, and color of the adjacent teeth to ensure that when it is fitted, it blends in naturally.

After this step, your dental implant is done, and you can now have that permanent, working tooth replacement.

If other procedures, such as bone grafting, are required, it could take several months to a year for a patient to have dental implants.

Dental Implant Recovery

The recovery phase after dental implants is a significant part of dental treatment that guarantees the success of your new teeth.

After The Procedure

After the implant surgery, there will be some pain as the body reacts to the surgery and starts to heal. Slight inflammation of the gums and face, some redness, and discomfort around the implant area are normal within the first few days of surgery.

Bleeding is also normal up to 24-48 hours after the surgery, but it should decrease over time. After the surgical procedure, your dentist will advise you on measures to take to minimize pain and possible complications. You may be given pain relievers or antibiotics if the pain worsens or there is a risk of infection.

Eating soft foods in the first few days after surgery or any type of operation is preferable. Soft foods are the best to eat when healing; examples include yogurt, soups, and mashed potatoes. You will not want to eat anything hot, cold, or crunchy, as these may cause discomfort around the implant site.

You should avoid taking any beverage other than water to allow your mouth to heal from the effects of tobacco products. Certain habits are incredibly detrimental to the process of recovery, most notably smoking since it delays the healing of your gums and bones.

Long-Term Dental Care

After the implants have fully healed and your new teeth are in place, you should take good care of them to have them last longer. It is recommended that dental implants also be cleaned thoroughly to avoid infections like peri-implantitis that may cause the implant to fail.

The soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste should be used at least twice daily to prevent gums and damage to the implant surface. It is just as important to floss daily around the implant since it can reduce the chances of food particles and plaque formation. There are special interdental brushes or floss for implants that your dentist may suggest so that the areas around the implants are properly cleaned.

As part of the long-term care for your dental implants, you should visit your dentist every six months for dental check-ups. These visits are important as your dentist will assess the condition of your gums and the position of the implant and remove plaque that may have formed on the implant surface.

Dental implants are designed for a lifetime but can still be damaged. Clenching your jaws or chewing on hard substances should be discouraged because they contribute to excessive wear. If you have a history of bruxism that may place too much pressure on the implant, consulting a night guard might also be advised.

Dental Implants Complications

Dental implants are generally considered a safe and effective restoration option for tooth loss, but complications can arise like any surgery. Possible complications are:

  • Infections. After surgery, an implant can develop an infection at its location if the post-surgery care is not well observed. Symptoms of infections include inflammation, erythema, and pus formation around the implant site.
  • Implant loss happens when the implant does not osseointegrate with the jawbone. It may be due to low bone density, infection, or excessive load on the implant due to grinding / clenching teeth.
  • Nerve injury occurs because the implant may be positioned near the nerves or blood vessels. It might also lead to gum, lip, or chin pain, tingling, or numbness, and in some cases, this could extend to the tongue.
  • Sinus problems occur mostly when implants are placed in the upper jaw. When the implants penetrate the sinus cavity, they may cause discomfort and other issues, such as sinusitis.

Find a Skilled Northridge Dentist Near Me

Dental implants offer a durable, natural-looking solution for tooth replacement. They significantly enhance your ability to chew, speak, and maintain oral health. The process involves multiple steps and requires a skilled dentist. You also enjoy long-term benefits, including improved appearance, bone preservation, and overall comfort, making it a valuable investment.

If you are considering dental implants, consulting with an experienced professional is essential to ensure the best outcome. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we specialize in personalized implant care, helping you confidently restore your smile. Contact us at 818-701-3010 today to schedule your consultation.