Yes, there are several available options for dealing with decayed, missing, or other tooth problems. However, an approach that has become increasingly preferable and popular over the years is the use of dental implants. Unlike dentures, dental implants are a more permanent solution, especially when replacement is the option on the table. So, if your dentist or oral specialist has suggested you might be needing dental implants, not to worry. Here’s everything that you need to know about dental implants.
Types of Dental Implants
Crafted out of pure titanium, a high-strength metal resistant to corrosion, dental implants are safe metallic tooth root replacements. They’re made to fit into the bone below the gum so that they can act like a normal base for artificial teeth. This way, patients with missing teeth or decay problems can still get to chew, talk, and do other things people with normal things can do.
Some people require pain medication or antibiotics after the procedure, which you can easily get at an online pharmacy. For example, if you live in Canada, a quick search for “Canada online pharmacy” will likely bring some viable results. That said, the following are the two main types of dental implants.
Endosteal implants: These are the most common types of implants, especially for patients with a healthy jaw bone. They come in screw shapes and require some time to fuse with the jawbone after successful implanting. It’s only after it has healed and fused properly that false teeth can be placed on it.
Subperiosteal implants: if the idea of implanting a metallic material into your jawbone doesn’t sound too great, subperiosteal implants are an excellent alternative offered at a dental office or a dental implant center. Instead of the implants going into the jawbone, they sit on the jaw bone. Not to worry, they’re also safe and won’t easily come off as your gum will hold it in place after fusing around the implants.
The subperiosteal implant option is used for a patient who does not want the intensive procedure of creating a cavity in the jaw bone for the implants. What’s more, patients with relatively less jaw bone that can support the implants are given the medical advice to opt for a subperiosteal implant.
Dental Implant Ins and Outs
Cost: Dental implants undoubtedly cost more than solutions like dentures. However, they offer more permanent solutions to teeth problems and don’t require adhesives like dentures. In the long run, dental implants are more cost-effective since they don’t require frequent post-procedure maintenance costs.
Post-procedure Maintenance: Implants can last a lifetime. Some people replace after six or seven years. What’s more, the crown or new teeth can also last many years, depending on your dental care routine.
Time Frame: In the United States and most locations with standard medical practice, your dentist or periodontist will assess your situation and determine the type of implant you require. If you require a pre-removal procedure of the damaged or decayed teeth, this may lengthen the overall process. After inserting a dental implant, it’ll require some time to heal, which can take many days or weeks. It’s only after the dentist or oral surgeon establishes that the site has properly healed that you can receive a new tooth.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Here are a few advantages to make note of
- They’re cost-effective in the long run.
- Implants cannot slip off while talking.
- Unlike dentures, they don’t require adhesives or frequent inconvenient, costly maintenance.
- Your diet will not be restricted as implants behave like natural teeth.
- Guarantees better post-procedure oral wellness than dentures.
- Unlike dentures, dental implants don’t cause speaking difficulties or lack of taste.
- Dental implants offer a more permanent solution, so with proper care, both implants and teeth can last for decades.