The process of getting dental implants explained.
What is a dental implant?
North Little Rock dental implants are a form of tooth restoration which is used to close gaps. These gaps in the dentition are caused by tooth loss due to cavities, injuries or even gum and periodontal disease. A dental implant is permanent and cannot be removed. It fuses with the jawbone and grows in it as part of the whole structure. When the restoration tooth is fixed in place, the part of the implant that is in the bone will ensure that it is fixed firmly in place. It is becoming a popular way to restore missing teeth and more dentists are offering the services.
Anesthesia
Getting an implant is regarded as a form of dental surgery. Dentists have to consider the pain and discomfort experienced by the patient and also how the patient responds to pain. This will give the dentist an idea of just how much anesthesia you will need. Anesthesia is used to prevent pain during the procedure. Getting an implant is less painful than getting a filling. Although anesthesia is administered in both situations, the level of discomfort is higher for fillings.
The implant itself
The implant is composed of three parts, the titanium post, the abutment and lastly the fake tooth. The first procedure will involve the titanium post. The idea behind implants is to literally implant the tooth into the tooth alignment. Therefore, on the first visit to the dentist, he/she always conducts a short survey of your teeth. The dentist will then drill the titanium post into your jawbone. The titanium post is a very small piece of metal. When it is implanted, the jawbone heals around it and sinks it further in making it stable.
Fixing the fake tooth
Once the implant is in place, it is left to heal. The average time it will take for the bone to heal is between six and 12 weeks. The dentist will schedule the next appointment to be in accordance with the healing time of the implant. When it has healed, the dentist will proceed to fix a small piece of metal onto the implant. This small piece of metal is called an abutment. The abutment is used to hold the restoration tooth in place. It can achieve this through joining the titanium post to the restoration tooth.
Care for the implant
The implants, unlike dentures, are permanent and won’t fall off. However, there are some things you should put into consideration. These include brushing and flossing. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. Flossing every day is also a requirement to preserve dental implants. You should also go to the dentist regularly for checkups. Implants can last for as long as you live if you take good care of them. They are durable and feel like real teeth. They are even custom made to fit in the patient’s teeth arrangement and structure.
