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Are you looking to get dental implants to replace your severely decayed, damaged, or missing teeth? If so, dental implants are a great choice as they offer several benefits, making them the closest alternative to natural teeth. It is best if you get a good idea about dental implants before going ahead with them. While your dentist will explain this to you in detail, here is a worthy read that will help you understand them better.

What are implants made from?

Implants are known for their excellent strength, durability, and long-lasting properties. This is enabled by the materials implants are made from. The metal implant stud will be inserted into the jawbone and is made from one of the strongest metals known to us - titanium. The visible tooth-like structure will be made using dental-grade ceramic. This helps us mimic the exact appearance of the natural tooth while keeping it resistant to staining and regular wear.

How is the candidacy for implants decided?

A thorough diagnostic procedure is carried out to decide the candidacy for implants. This will include taking panoramic x-rays and scans of the mouth and conducting an extensive analysis of the images. The dentist will check for jawbone volume, size, and strength to make sure it can hold the implant steadily. If the volume is inadequate, a bone graft may be suggested. Other factors looked into are the presence of gum diseases, spacing available for placing the implant, drifting of the adjoining teeth, the overall state of health, presence of health conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, etc. Based on all these observations, we will determine your candidacy for implants.

How is the procedure carried out?

Initially, you will be prepared for the surgery by conducting a health check and cleaning the oral cavity. Local anesthesia will be administered to numb the gums, teeth, and surrounding tissues, which avoids pain and discomfort. Next, a slit will be made on the gums, and a hole is made on the jawbone using high precision dental equipment. The metal implant will be meticulously placed in the hole and secured firmly using dental adhesives. A suitable healing period, usually of a few months, will be recommended by the dentist, during which the gums regrow around the implant and the bone fuses with the metal. This forms a strong bond and renders the necessary stability.

The next surgery will be scheduled after completing the healing period. During this, a connecting element called the abutment will be placed on the implant and secured. Digital impressions of the mouth will be taken to serve as a reference for fabricating the ceramic crown. During the next consultation, the dentist will place the crown on the abutment and check for fit and contour. If any changes are necessary, the dentist will make them and bond it to the implant. A bite test will ensure the implant is not altering your natural bite and is fixed correctly in place.

How to care for the implant?

Though a dental implant is very strong and tough, it could get damaged when you try to open bottle caps or plastic bags with your teeth. Hence, avoid these at all costs. Also, be watchful of biting or chewing anything too hard, such as hard nuts, candy, ice cubes, etc. If the implant loosens or seems unstable, reach out to a dentist immediately, and they will guide you accordingly with the restoration. Implants are known to have an excellent success rate and are one of the most long-lasting restorations, provided you care for them well.

Please reach out to us on call or consult with us online, and we’ll be glad to guide you further.