Complications arise when you lose a tooth due to an accident or disease, and these complications can include changes in your chewing patterns, pain and discomfort, bone loss requiring bone grafting, and even a poor speech pattern. However, having dental implants placed to replace missing teeth can do wonders to your overall oral health and even self-esteem.
A dental implant system typically has three main parts, namely; the dental implant body, the abutment, and the abutment fixation screw. The roots of missing teeth are replaced by the titanium body of dental implants, which are surgically implanted into the jaw even after bone grafting. The dental implant abutment on the other hand, is the part of the dental implant option that is linked to the dental implant body by an abutment fixation screw and the abutment protrudes through the gums to firmly hold the artificial tooth or artificial teeth when fitted.
Dental Implant Procedure Suggestions for Individual Patients
Discuss the pros and cons of getting dental implants as well as the treatment plan with your dentist to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Think about the following
- Whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants, how long it will take to heal, and how long the dental implant may last all depend on your general health.
- You should inquire as to the make and model of the dental implants being used and keep this data on hand.
- Smoking can slow the recovery time and reduce the longevity of dental implants.
- While the dental implant body heals, a temporary abutment is used to replace the missing teeth. This process can take several months.
What you should do after having a dental implant placed
- Be sure to take your dentist’s advice seriously and maintain good oral health practices at home.
- Maintaining a healthy dental care routine consisting of regular cleaning of both the dental implant and adjacent natural teeth is crucial to the implant’s long-term success.
- Seeing a dentist on a regular basis is highly recommended.
- Tell your dentist right away if your dental implants start to feel uncomfortable or loose.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants For Missing Teeth
The life expectancy and overall health of a patient can be greatly enhanced by dental implants. But there is always a chance that something unexpected will go wrong. Complications from dental implants is rare, but where they do arise, the complications may occur shortly after the implant is placed or in other cases years later. When dental implants fail, it often necessitates further surgery to either repair or replace it.
But there are many upsides to using dental implants and some of these benefits include:
- Dental implants improve your taste for chewing with both your natural teeth and the implants that replaced your missing teeth
- Dental implants replace missing teeth and enhance your cosmetic dental appearance
- Dental implants aid in preventing your jawbone from deteriorating as a result of bone loss that could result in the urgent need for bone grafting
- Dental implants maintain the integrity of your jawbone and gums
- Dental implants assist in preserving the integrity of neighboring natural teeth
- Dental implants help to raise your overall living standards
Possible Dangers Associated with Getting Dental Implants
- The placement of dental implants can cause harm to the natural teeth and gums around the dental implants
- Surgeon-induced tissue damage, such as sinus perforation
- Surgery-related injury (for example, fracture of surrounding jawbone)
- Problems with functionality, such as a feeling that your teeth are not meshing or coming together properly when biting
- The loosening of an abutment screw can give the impression that a tooth is twisting in its socket or is not wiggle-free
- Body implant failure (looseness of the implant body) as a result of;
- widespread infection which can be more common in people whose diabetes health condition is not well managed
- a bacterial infection in the jawbone or gums that anchor the dental implants body which may result in your need for bone grafting too restore your bone structure
- the consequence of smoking tobacco cigarettes which can also lead to a much longer dental implants recovery duration
- Impairment of dental hygiene due to difficulty in maintaining a health mouth by providing good oral care around the dental implants
- Periodontal disease without adequate treatment could lead to you needing multiple implants in Houston TX
- Numbness after surgery as a result of nerve compression or injury
When getting an MRI or x-ray, it is imperative that you inform the doctor and technician that you have dental implants. This is because the images of the MRI or x-ray may be distorted or otherwise affected by your dental implants. However, it must be mentioned that the FDA has not received any reports of MRI or x-ray related problems caused primarily by dental implants.
How Dental Implants for Missing Teeth are Evaluated for Safety
Dental implants are typically crafted from components that are in accordance with ISO or ASTM International standards, both of which are recognized worldwide as representing the best practices in standardization.
The criteria for what constitutes a safe material are specified in the norms provided by these two bodies. However, titanium and zirconium oxide are the two most common materials for dental implants.
Ceramics, titanium alloys, cobalt-based alloys, and gold alloys are just a few of the alternative materials that may be used in the manufacture of dental implants. But not to worry, as it is common knowledge that all these substances are safe for use in the production of dental implants and for a dental implant procedure.
Worldwide consensus standards are used in the assessment of dental implants. Biocompatibility testing is a part of the evaluation done to make sure the materials used in the dental implant system are safe and will not have any adverse effects when implanted in people.
Before the FDA will approve a single dental implant system for sale in the United States, the manufacturer must demonstrate that their system is at least as safe and effective as the existing dental implants.
How many distinct varieties of dental implants are there?
Endosteal and subperiosteal dental implants, as well as one-stage and two-stage procedures, are the most common dental implant options used in replacing missing teeth in the open market today. All of the choices feel very organic, but they serve different purposes. Knowing the difference will help you and your dentist recommend the best dental implant services decision for your missing tooth.
Endosteal
If you need dental implants, your dentist is likely to recommend an endosteal dental implant. This type of dental implant resembles a small screw and is placed into the jawbone to mimic a natural tooth root. Dentists favor this approach because tooth loss can lead to structural changes in the jaw and the shifting of neighboring teeth. The bone around the gap created by a missing tooth can deteriorate, but endosteal implants anchored into the empty tooth root canal can prevent this.
Subperiosteal
Subperiosteal implants resemble endosteal implants, but are not anchored into the jawbone; instead, they are placed beneath the gums or on top of the bone. Subperiosteal dental implants are one option that is most often used when a patient’s jawbone is not healthy or strong enough to support dental implants.
It is common for dentists to recommend bone augmentation to patients in need of an endosteal dental implant so that they can rebuild and strengthen their jawbone. However, if a patient does not wish to undergo bone augmentation, they can get nearly the same results with a subperiosteal dental implant.
Single Stage
One visit to the dentist’s office is all that is needed to get single-stage dental implants. Your dentist will surgically insert longer dental implants into your jaw and gums, leaving the dental crown of the dental implants visible after the procedure. After the tissue has healed, the implant’s connector and dental crown will be screwed into place.
Patients with bone issues or with special needs frequently undergo the single-stage dental implant procedure. This is because, after the initial surgery, the single-stage process is typically faster, and the patient has an easier time adjusting to their new teeth.
Two-Stage
In comparison to a single-stage procedure, the time required for a two-stage dental implants procedure is much longer due to the need for at least two surgeries and subsequent healing periods. The first step involves a surgical procedure in which your dentist will anchor the dental implant’s base into your jawbone and then close the incision with stitches. After a few months have passed and the mouth has healed, the base of the dental implant will be exposed during a second, less invasive implant surgery, and the dental implant connector piece and dental crown will then be attached.
This method is more complicated and time-consuming, but it pays off in the end. In the time between the first and second surgeries, the implant’s base will fuse to the jawbone tissue, making it as strong as a natural tooth root.
Material Used In Producing Dental Implants
The two most common materials for multiple dental implants are titanium and zirconia. In implant dentistry, titanium implants are widely regarded as traditional dentures, but as the field has advanced, so have the materials available for use in dental implants procedure. The chemical and physical properties of new dental implant materials are the subject of extensive investigation and testing. These dental materials created in a dental lab need to be microscopically and chemically sound and resistant to cracking and corrosion.
Titanium
Titanium is currently the gold standard for use in dental implant materials. Titanium implant materials have the advantage of not causing any damage to the jawbone, which is one of the main reasons why people choose them. A titanium implant can last as long as a natural tooth because bone continues to grow around it and your remaining teeth after it has been placed.
Titanium implants are the most practical and cost-effective option. Today, titanium implants are typically made from titanium alloys rather than pure titanium. This makes the dental implants more robust and secure for people with titanium allergies. Because of its similarity to human tissue, titanium facilitates osseointegration when used in implant design. Titanium is also one of the most affordable dental implants around.
Zirconia
Unlike titanium implants, which have been used for what seems like forever, zirconia implants are a relatively new development in the field of dental implantology. Zirconia implants are a fantastic metal-free alternative for patients who have concerns about metal allergies and putting metal into their body. Zirconia is very hard and strong, so it is also used to make bridges and crowns. And just like titanium does, this material can fuse to your jawbone.
Zirconia implants have not been in use as long as titanium implants, which means the material has not been subjected to the same level of testing. However, two major benefits distinguish zirconia dental implants from titanium implants and these are;
- With Zirconia dental implants, your gums do not show any dark metallic undertones.
- Zirconia dental implants may be more prone to fracture compared to titanium implants, but they are more corrosion-resistant than titanium.
Zirconia are also affordable dental implants that are widely in demand in the U.S and other parts of the world today.
FAQ About Dental Implants Houston TX
If you get a surgical implant placement, how long will it be before you can eat normally again?
Full-arch dental implants can last for decades, making the initial discomfort after surgery seem like a bargain. Most people feel normal again within three to seven days after dental implant surgery by an oral surgeon, and many go back to work the next day.
Are teeth implants dental procedures a good idea for everyone?
Not everyone qualifies for a dental implant placement and the most inappropriate candidates for dental implant procedures are; younger children and teenagers, people that regularly chew tobacco, those with very poor dental hygiene, the elderly, although in this case there are exceptions to the norm.
What factors lead to implant placement failure?
Apart from poor dental practices, there are mainly two causes of dental implant failure, namely; peri-implantitis and osseointegration dental implant failure which may lead to you needing tooth extractions to resolve the problem. Insufficient oral hygiene, such as a lack of daily brushing and flossing, can lead to peri-implantitis. There is also an infection in the gums that can spread to the bone, causing a disease called necrotizing gingivitis which can be greatly detrimental to your oral health.
Discover Dental Center Your One-Stop-Shop For The Best Dental Implants In Houston TX
At Discover Dental Center, we offer the best dental implant materials to meet your cosmetic dental needs. Whether titanium, zirconia or any new dental implant material, we have both the qualified personnel and state-of-the-art dental equipment to provide world-class dental services from the consultation stage right up to the actual surgical procedure. We strive to provide you with a comfortable, practical, and personalized restorative dentistry experience at all times. You can book an appointment with dental professionals at our dental office for dental implant treatment for your missing tooth with us by calling – (713) 997-9390 or making an appointment request online for the best mouth dental implants and for improved oral health today.
