For thousands of years, people have been replacing missing teeth, first in China and then Egypt. The Chinese used bamboo pegs, while the Egyptians used copper. We could only imagine the skills that went with the procedures, never mind the pain involved.
Today, the top standard of tooth replacement is dental implants because of their quality and durability. Dental implants use titanium tooth roots to replace natural tooth roots. The top of the titanium post attaches a crown that resembles your natural tooth in color and function. They are a great option because they are set into the jawbone and have the same stability and strength as natural teeth. If dental implants appeal to you, be ready with these questions before consulting with your dentist.
What Is Your Experience?
Dental implant procedures are complex and require specialization to perform correctly and safely. Because of this, you must find a dentist with significant experience in the field for the best results.
How Do I Know I Am a Good Candidate?
Not everyone who wants dental implants can get one. Some require additional procedures before they can proceed. The dentist will first examine your oral health after you express your interest.
During the examination, the dentist will check your gums, teeth, and jawbone to ensure your mouth can heal from the procedure. They may also analyze the health of your jawbone to see whether the dental implant has sufficient support to integrate.
The other things that they may check are:
- How many teeth are you missing
- Do you have trouble chewing
- Do you have any loose teeth
- Do you have dentures, and what is their state
- Are you a smoker
What Sedation Options Are Available?
Sedation is critical in dental implant procedures if they need a long time. You must know what sedation options are available to allow you to prepare. You will have to have someone bring you to the procedure if you cannot drive home afterward.
How Long Will the Implants Last?
If the orthodontist you have chosen is a specialist, the implants you get should last a long time. On average, dental implants can last up to 20 years after the implant procedure. The longevity of the implants will largely depend on you and your lifestyle.
How Many Surgeries Are Necessary?
Some dental implants require multiple procedures, especially with insufficient bone mass. If this is the case, you will need surgery to graft bone into your jaw and others for the implants. Knowing this will help you mentally prepare for the long wait required for the bone grafts.
How Do I Maintain My Implants?
While implants are synthetic, you will still need to care for your teeth, mouth and the implants if you don’t want to part with them sooner than you expected. Maintenance is vital in preventing dental disease and oral conditions that develop with poor dental hygiene.
For more information on dental implants, visit Progressive Dental & Associates at our office in Matteson, Illinois. Please call (708) 980-0110 to discuss any questions with our team of experts or to schedule an appointment today.
