10 Jan 2019 Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants
Teeth go bad for many reasons. Perhaps you or someone you know didn’t brush and floss as a child and now, as an adult is facing getting crowns and even pulled teeth. Perhaps genetics haven’t been on your side. Maybe you’ve brushed and flossed everyday but as the years pass, you have more and more problems with large fillings and crowns. Or perhaps, because of family circumstances and money, you neglected your teeth for a number of years and now are faced with gaps in your mouth from pulled teeth and other dental problems. Whatever the reason, you may be looking into implants.
Implants are a great way to go. They have the look, feel, and function of real teeth. In addition, they are long lasting. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about dental implants in Salt Lake City.
Implant FAQs
What is an implant, exactly? I’ve heard the name but don’t quite get what they are or how they stay in your mouth.
An implant is a custom made, real-looking fake tooth. Basically, it is held in place with a titanium screw that is drilled into your jaw. Titanium is a type of metal that can bond with bone, so, over time, the screw can be very strong.
Why would I choose to do implants over dentures or a bridge?
Implants interfere the least with your everyday activities such as eating. Implants feel quite a bit like real teeth. You can chew tougher foods with them like meat, for example. Bridges can be a good option but can have difficulty staying in place long term. Dentures require you to change your diet. You have to eat soft foods. Hard foods or biting down hard can dislodge dentures and make one side come up. Having to change your diet and worry about dentures coming out can be frustrating and embarrassing but can work if it has to.
Do you have to brush implants? They are fake after all and you can’t get cavities in them.
It is true that you can’t get cavities in implants. The problem is that you can still get gum diseases like gingivitis underneath and next to the implants. You must brush and floss your implants just like you did teeth. If you get serious gum disease, it can affect the density of your jaw bone and cause problems with your implants staying in place.
Are there risks to getting implants?
Risks are rare with implants. However, if you smoke, you have higher chance of developing complications such as infections and even nerve damage. Whether or not you plan to get dental implants, stop smoking now!
How long does it take to get implants? Can it be done in one visit?
Most of the time getting dental implants will take several months. Plan on multiple appointments. Because implants are custom made for you, you should expect a thorough exam and medical history and tests to see the amount of bone and strength of your bone. Some people will actually have to have a bone graft or other procedures done before an implant can be placed.
Usually, if the jaw bone looks good, the titanium screw is placed in the jaw. Dentists will often wait several months for the screw to bond with bone before they put on the fake tooth.