If you're missing most or all of your lower teeth, you may have the option of replacing them with dental implants. But as with any type of advanced dental treatment, you may have many questions or concerns about the procedure. You may even wonder if dental implants are right for your situation. Here are facts about dental implants and how you can make your treatment successful before and after you get them.
What Should You Know About Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small artificial devices that work just like real teeth roots. Dentists, such as oral surgeons and general practitioners, surgically implant the devices inside your tooth sockets. The sockets support the implants until they grow or bond with the natural bone tissue inside your jaw.
Dental implants come in several forms, including posts and frames. The cylinder-shaped posts are the most common types of implants used by dentists today. Framed dental implants are often used on patients who lack sufficient height and structure in their jawbone. Unlike dental implant posts, which sit inside the jaw, framed dental implants sit on top of the jawbone tissue. If your dentist determines that you have sufficient bone tissue in your jaw, they'll use implant posts during your treatment.
Regardless of what type of implants you get, you'll need to take steps to keep them healthy and safe.
How Do You Improve Your Chances of a Successful Surgery?
Dental implant treatment can a number of months to complete. The exact treatment time may depend on several factors, including your:
- Overall health
- Age
- Condition of your jaw
- Ability to heal
If you're a relatively healthy adult with strong jawbone tissue, you may not spend too much time recovering from your surgery. If you required additional treatment, such as bone grafting or augmentation, your treatment may be longer. A dentist will take time to go over your treatment plan and what you might expect from it before they perform your dental implant surgery.
An implant dentist may also examine your implant sites regularly during your treatment. If your implants show signs of infection or swelling, a dentist can use different methods to treat these issues. However, most patients recover from their dental implant procedures successfully.
If you still need answers about your upcoming dental implant surgery or what to expect from it, contact a dentist right away. Knowing the facts now can help you get through your treatment later. If you have other questions, you can find out more here.
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