You radiate confidence and joy whenever you smile, making you and those around you feel delighted. A beautiful smile can eliminate worries about engaging with other people. Unfortunately, dental issues like broken or missing teeth could make you feel self-conscious or prevent you from interacting well with other people. A flawed smile or missing teeth can also be accompanied by embarrassment and discomfort. Dental issues make most people uncomfortable in social settings, making it challenging for them to engage in discussions or laugh with others. The good news is that dental implants can resolve many dental issues, giving you an attractive smile. Implants restore your confidence as well as tooth functionality. Dental implants offer aesthetically pleasing, durable options to conventional dentures to enable you to smile, speak, and eat without worrying. With implants, a patient can regain the freedom to attend social events and engage.

If you are considering dental implants, it is crucial to understand dental implants and how they work before you book an appointment for dental implant placement. Some of the things you should know about dental implants include:

  1. How Do Implants Work?

Implants act as the roots of artificial teeth, supporting replacement teeth. A dentist must first examine your teeth before recommending dental implants. The assessment can include performing an X-ray to examine the structure of your jawbone and develop a tailored dental plan. A thorough assessment is important to determine whether you are an implant candidate.

Your dentist will schedule you for dental surgery upon approving the treatment. The dentist will insert a post made of titanium in the jawbone after administering local anesthesia when performing the surgery. The post serves as the root for the replacement tooth, stabilizing the artificial tooth. Implant placement is a simple surgery, and anesthesia makes the procedure comfortable.

You will commence the healing phase known as "osseointegration" after implant placement. Your jawbone regenerates and attaches to the post during this time. The dentist will assess your recovery progress and advise you on how to enable you to heal quickly with little or no complications. After the osseointegration, the dentist attaches a tiny connector called implant abutment to your dental implant. The abutment links the dental implant to your replacement tooth while the dentist prepares the dental restoration. The dental expert will place the implant abutment, take impressions, and create a custom crown resembling the natural teeth. Once the dentist places the dental crown on your implant abutment, the dental implant process will be complete.

  1. Whether The Implant Procedure Causes Pain

You might experience discomfort during placement and after the implants are placed. However, your dentist can take some measures to manage the pain. Your dentist will administer local anesthesia when performing the surgery to make it pain-free and comfortable while installing the implant.

After the procedure, you could experience swelling and pain at the treatment site. For most patients, this discomfort/pain is manageable. It is the same as what the patient will experience when undergoing a tooth removal procedure. Your dentist can recommend painkillers or other medicines to help relieve pain following the surgery.

It can take a few months to recover. It is normal to experience mild discomfort or minor sensitivity as the jawbone fuses with the implant. These sensations are often clear as you heal; following your dentist's postoperative instructions and practicing good oral hygiene help to enhance your recovery and reduce discomfort. See your dentist immediately if you experience significant or persistent pain. This could indicate that you have an infection.

  1. Whether Dental Implants Last Long

Dental implants could last a lifetime and are often the most effective option for restoring missing teeth if properly cared for. On average, they last ten to thirty years. The durability is usually attributed to the dental implant bonding with a patient's bone, developing a stable foundation.

The crown might require replacement after ten to fifteen years because of the normal wear. The durability of your implants will depend on your lifestyle choices, oral practices, and overall health. For example, regular dental checkups, no smoking cigarettes, and good dental hygiene can enhance the lifespan of the dental implant & the dental crown.

  1. The Cost Of Dental Implants

Dental implants typically cost between $3,000 and $6,000 for every implant. The price can vary depending on key issues like the complexity of the surgery, the type of implant, and any preparation. For example, if you require extra treatments like sinus lifts or grafting, these can increase the total cost by between $200 and $5,000. The specific cost will depend on the bone required and the method used.

The expertise and experience of your dentist can affect the price. Dentists with proven records and advanced training could charge you a premium. However, despite being costly, dental implants are worth it.

When choosing a dental clinic, you should not solely focus on the price. The implants and service quality comes first, then the cost. Generally, the effectiveness of dental implants will depend on your dentist's proficiency.

Most dental offices provide financing plans to help patients manage their expenses and enable them to continue with treatment. Additionally, most insurance packages will cater to some costs, varying coverage widely. You should check with the insurance company to know the benefits available.

  1. Dental Implants Success Rate

The dental implant's success rate is remarkable, making them effective for missing teeth replacement. It can be as high as between 90% and 95%. Dental implants integrate well with the patient's jawbone, allowing implants to restore aesthetics and tooth function in many patients. However, the surgical method, postoperative self-care, and health can all impact implant success rates.

The effectiveness of your implants will also depend on your health. Some medical conditions, particularly osteoporosis and diabetes, can prevent integration and healing. You should discuss any health concerns with the dentist before implanting. Lifestyle choices, including smoking, could also enhance the risk of dental implant failure or malfunction by reducing blood flow, thus enhancing infection risk. Avoiding complications, such as gum infections that can affect the effectiveness of dental implants, is easy if you follow all postoperative care instructions and practice proper oral hygiene.

The experience and skill of your dentist could also impact the implant procedure's effectiveness. Proper technique and placement are crucial in enhancing dental implants over time and ensuring that the implants work well. However, recent technological advancements, including new surgical techniques and improved dental materials, have enhanced the reliability of implants.

  1. Whether Dental Implants Are Safe

Some people have cast doubt over whether implants are safe. Research shows that implants are safe. Components used, like titanium, are safe and biocompatible. This means a patient's body will accept the implant without any complications. This characteristic minimizes the danger of implant rejection compared to other surgical techniques.

The patient's health greatly impacts dental implants' success and safety. The effectiveness depends on ailments like severe periodontal disease or uncontrolled diabetes. Your dental expert will assess your overall health before you undergo surgery to establish whether you are eligible. Complications are not common but can occur, including nerve damage or infections. You can minimize these risks if you follow the postoperative self-care instructions issued by your dentist. The dental implant success rates in healthy patients are usually over 90%. Teenagers and children are unsuitable candidates for implants since their jaws are still growing. An early dental implant can easily affect development and lead to discomfort and misalignment. Dentists recommend that children wait until they reach a certain developmental stage before acquiring dental implants. The appropriate age for girls is 15 years and 17/18 years old for boys.

Other replacement options for younger children that can fill gaps apart from implants include removable dentures or dental bridges that hinder jawbone development. Space maintainers could keep the treatment areas open to allow the growth of permanent teeth later.

  1. Whether Dental Implants Can Fall Off

Implants boast a proven high effectiveness rate, but they can fall out sometimes. The implant will not adhere to the jawbone if the osseointegration process fails. Your implant can loosen and fall out if your jawbone fails to fuse properly. The bonding will also fail if bone density/volume issues arise.

The implants' success will depend on the patient's health. They are more likely to fail if a patient has gum disease, smokes, or has uncontrolled diabetes. Poor dental hygiene could also result in infections close to the implant, weakening the nearby tissue and making the implant loose and fall off. Teeth grinding, excessive force, and trauma could also compromise the stability of the implant.

Maintaining oral hygiene, avoiding activities that could damage your implant, and checking in with the dentist can lower the risks. You should consult your dentist if you feel movements or discomfort in the implant.

  1. The Risks Of Dental Implants

Implants are associated with several risks, even if they are deemed a reliable option for tooth replacement. Infection is a standard concern, especially if harmful bacteria penetrate the surgical area during or after the dental implant procedure. Infection is highly likely in case of inappropriate care or poor hygiene during the recovery period, compromising implant stability and healing. The infection could spread to nearby tissues if severe, necessitating implant removal.

Nerve damage is another risk, particularly when placing dental implants in a patient's lower jaw. If nerves are damaged, you can experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your chin, gums, or lips. This issue is usually temporary, though in more severe instances, it can result in long-lasting complications, including losing sensation in the affected areas.

Implants can cause sinus complications if put too near or in your sinus cavity that runs via your upper jaw. You can experience discomfort and sinus infections. In this case, you might have to undergo extra surgery to rectify the issue. Proper bone structure assessment and planning before dental implant placement can prevent complications.

Another concern is implant failure, which occurs if your implant does not bond successfully with your bone. If your implant does not fuse with the jawbone, it could loosen or fall out. Insufficient jawbone density or certain health conditions are the major causes of dental implant failure. Excessive pressure exerted on the dental implant as you heal could also cause instability.

You could also experience a gum recession. This is where the tissue near the dental implant recedes, revealing the metallic post. This can enhance the infection risk, change of appearance, and bone loss. Additionally, you might require surgical interventions to rectify and restore your receding gums.

With time, jawbone loss could occur close to the implant, particularly if the nearby bone tissue is affected by inflammation or infection. As the jawbone weakens, the dental implant can lose stability, and implant failure could occur. If the bone loss is significant, a bone grafting procedure would be necessary. Grafting can be performed to strengthen the jawbone structure and reinforce the dental implant.

However, the risks are not common, and in most cases, they happen if you fail to observe proper postoperative care. You should also work with inexperienced dental professionals.

  1. Healing After Implant Surgery

It could take several months to heal after an implant procedure. However, individual factors could vary. The dental implant could take between three and six months to adhere to the jawbone. Your jawbone will bond to the dental implant, creating a strong crown foundation.

Find a Reliable Implant Dentist Near Me

Missing or gapped teeth could make you uncomfortable, especially if they are noticeable to others. A reliable way of replacing missing teeth is dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. The implants are placed in the jawbone and integrate with the natural bones. After healing or osseointegration, dentists attach artificial tooth replacements to the implants.

Dental implants offer many advantages, including durability and aesthetics. Once in place, implants give you a natural appearance, and people will not even notice that you have implants. If you are considering dental implants and need a reliable dentist, contact Northridge Advanced Dentistry. Call us at 818-701-3010 to speak to one of our dentists.