Dental Implants: What are they and how are they performed?

When you lose one or more of your teeth and prefer not to have a bridge or full or partial removable dentures inside your mouth, you can consider asking your doctor if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Dental implants provide a more natural alternative for teeth than removable dentures, as they are artificial teeth attached directly to the jawbone, making them the closest option to natural teeth compared to removable dentures or even dental bridges. To benefit from dental implants, you must be in good health (aside from the missing teeth) and have a fully developed and healthy jawbone. Healthy gums and sound jawbones are also required to support the implants.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants resemble natural teeth more than dentures. An implant looks like a cylinder or a screw and serves as a synthetic replacement for the root of missing teeth. Implants are made of titanium or another similar material that does not cause an adverse reaction when bonded to the jawbone and gum tissue, making them very suitable for the oral environment.

How are Dental Implants Performed? The process of obtaining a dental implant ready to perform its function inside the mouth takes several months to complete, and involves three stages:

• Placement of the implant: You will undergo surgery to place the implant in your jaw, where it is covered with gum tissue and allowed to integrate with the jawbone for a period ranging from three to six months.

• Attaching the abutment: Your dentist attaches an abutment to the implant, which facilitates the growth of gum tissue around it. In some cases, the implant and abutment are placed simultaneously. Whether they are placed at the same time or not, the implant placed inside the mouth acts as an anchor for the replacement tooth.

• Adding the crown: Your dentist attaches a custom crown and secures it over the implant abutment.

How Long Does the Dental Implant Procedure Take?

Dental implant procedures take from one to three hours, and that is related to the number of implants to be placed and the nature of your jaw.

What Happens After Dental Implants?

If you are in good health and have undergone dental implant surgery, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions regarding your oral hygiene—including daily brushing and flossing—and follow the procedure to keep your new teeth clean and healthy.

Should I Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants are not the ideal choice for all patients. Pregnant women, people suffering from chronic diseases or immunosuppression (due to the increased risk of infection during surgery), children (because the jawbones are still in the growth stage), and people who suffer from nocturnal grinding during sleep (which constitutes excessive force applied to the implants) are not good candidates for dental implants. Also, dear reader, you can contact our clinic, Marvel Dental Clinic, through our website or via WhatsApp to evaluate your need for dental implants and whether this option is suitable for your health condition or not.