A Beginner’s Guide to Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the safest and most predictable surgical procedures performed today. In Jasper, Texas, there are dental care centers that can offer such treatments. Find a reliable facility for Dental Implants in Jasper for the correct treatment. The first step is obtaining an accurate diagnosis which can be done by taking x-rays, examining the teeth, jawbone (mandible), and gums.

The second step is determining if other treatments are necessary before performing dental implant surgery, such as bone grafting or gum treatment. If all conditions are favorable, then a “temporary” tooth may be placed for cosmetic purposes until the healing process. This temporary tooth will stay in place for approximately three months before being removed during your final appointment following implant surgery.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are normally titanium posts that act as tooth root substitutes. The dental implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it will integrate or bond with the jawbone tissue to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Dental implants can also help in attaching dentures (an upper or lower denture) to the jawbone. A dental implant post is made of porous titanium; this allows the living bone to grow into and around the porous surface of an implant post. This permits the jawbone to attach firmly to the implant post resulting in a robust and stable foundation for artificial teeth.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

After positioning (placing) an implant post into the jawbone and allowing it to integrate, a replacement tooth (crown) is constructed and bonded (cemented) onto the implant post. The new tooth becomes a part of your mouth as if it has always been there; you will experience no difference in how it feels or functions.

What are the Benefits of Implants?

Dental implants offer countless benefits. Some of them include:

Dental implants are very durable. The life expectancy of an implant is 10-15 years (subject to chewing, biting, and the amount of stress the implant post can withstand).

Dental implants will enhance your smile by replacing missing teeth with new natural-looking teeth. Dental implants offer improved comfort because they reduce pressure on remaining teeth and surrounding soft tissue.

They improve chewing function. Those with missing teeth may feel that their ability to chew food has been reduced because they worry about biting into a jawbone tooth while chewing. Replacement teeth attached to dental implants reduce the chance of jawbone damage due to biting down on another tooth during chewing.

How Long Does the Process Take to Complete?

The actual implant procedure takes anywhere from 1-2 hours, and usually, the patient can go home the same day. The healing time can take a few months, and during this period, it’s essential to practice good oral hygiene and be aware of any soreness or discomfort. The final step is the attachment of a permanent replacement tooth. There will be a minimal difference in how it feels compared to natural teeth. However, this difference will not affect your ability to eat or smile usually.

Dental implants are one of the most predictable surgical procedures performed today. The process typically takes 1-2 hours, and patients can go home the same day. Dental implants offer countless benefits, including durability, improved chewing function, natural-looking teeth that will enhance your smile, and reduced pressure on surrounding soft tissue or remaining teeth – which reduces damage to the jawbone and teeth due to biting down on another during chewing.