Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Dental implants are titanium prosthetic tooth roots. If you have a missing tooth, you may choose dental implants as a replacement option. Many patients select dental implants because they are durable and long-lasting. In addition, one of the many benefits of dental implants is that they look and feel like your natural teeth. 

If you lose a tooth, it can diminish your confidence. However, dental implants can improve the look of your smile. Also, losing a tooth can make eating or speaking difficult. Dental implants provide support to your remaining teeth, and they help restore their function. 

If you are interested in dental implants, you should talk to your dentist.

3D render of dental implant - post, abutment, and crown restorative dentistry dentist in Chapel Hill North Carolina

What Is The Process?

Before your dental team begins your surgical journey, they will ensure that you are a good candidate. You must have a jaw that is strong enough to support an implant. Additionally, your dentist will review your medical history to make sure you are healthy for surgery. 

The surgery takes part in three parts to place the implant. First, your dentist will cut open the jaw and drill into the bone. The post is the first portion that you will receive. Before you can move to the next stage, your jaw will need to heal completely. This is to ensure that the jaw provides a solid base. Next, your dentist will install the abutment, which will attach the crown. After your jaw heals, you will finally get a dental crown. 

The entire process can take months from start to finish. 

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Because you have to undergo surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort. However, you shouldn’t feel any severe or intense pain. Extreme pain could be an indication of an infection. 

To avoid discomfort, you should follow your dentist’s post-surgery recommendation. In addition, your dentist will prescribe pain medication to help you recover. Another way that you can improve your recovery process is to ice your face. With daily icing, you can help reduce pain and swelling. 

How Long Do They Last?

With proper care and attention, dental implants can last a lifetime. While dental implants require a more invasive process, they last much longer. Because dental implants are placed in the jaw, they do not shift. As a result, the jaw provides a strong foundation that will keep your tooth replacement for years to come. 

What Is The Care Process?

One of the many benefits of dental implants is the care routine. Since they look and feel like your natural teeth, you can care for them in the same way. You can brush and floss your teeth as usual. This will involve brushing your teeth twice a day. Additionally, it is essential to floss your teeth daily. Although a dental implant is a false tooth, plaque can still build on its surface. To keep your mouth clean, you should keep a proper oral hygiene routine.