7 Things to Know About Dental Implants

Dental implants are available to provide permanent restoration to missing teeth. Though a favorite among dental professionals and patients, there are a few things to consider before choosing these smile restoratives.

Seven things to consider before choosing dental implants

1. Requires adequate amounts of bone

Patients will need an adequate amount of underlying jaw for the dental implant process. Patients with insufficient jawbone density may be eligible for bone grafts, which use natural or synthetic bone material to provide the density necessary to rebuild the jawbone and hold an implant.

2. Require adequate amounts of gum tissue

As with bone density, dental implants require adequate amounts of healthy gum tissue. The gums need to cover the titanium abutment, which is part of the implant. Patients may be recommended for a gum graft to restore its appearance and volume if there is evidence of gum recession.

3. Lengthy process

Patients must be able to commit to the process; this includes following all instructions, which will differ between appointments. While timing can vary, the dental implant process can take up to nine months. There will be surgical appointments and check-up appointments in between. Therefore, patients should be able to make room in their schedule to attend them and not prolong treatment.

4. Requires multiple surgeries

There are two primary appointments involved in the dental implant process. The first involves making an incision in the gumline and creating a hole in the jawbone before anchoring the implant post. The second involves attaching the abutment piece to the post. This surgery involves reopening the gumline only. That said, patients should prepare to undergo anesthetic and arrange a ride home for at least the first surgery.

5. Smokers are ineligible

Smoking is known to inhibit healing, increase bleeding, and deteriorate the jawbone and gum tissues. Therefore, the dentist will likely recommend an alternative treatment for those who smoke or cannot quit within a certain timeframe. Smoking can also cause implant failure or rejection; therefore, patients must not smoke after the insertion process either.

6. They can restore one missing tooth or all

Whether a patient is missing one or all of their teeth, dental implants can help replace them. If a patient is trying to replace individual teeth but has the majority of their natural teeth, the dentist will recommend a single dental implant for each tooth. For those needing to replace all their teeth, the dentist will place four to six dental implants on each arch and attach dentures.

7. Lifetime Lifespan

Lastly, it is important to note the life expectancy of dental implants is a lifetime with proper care and any necessary checkups. However, the chosen restorative attached to an implant, such as a crown, denture, or bridge, will have its own life expectancy that may require restorations or replacement over time.