Implant Dentist Las Vegas fuse into your jawbone and act like natural teeth, making them more stable than alternatives like bridges or dentures. They also allow you to eat more comfortably and speak clearly.
Getting implants requires extensive dental examinations and treatments to ensure you qualify for the procedure. You may experience discomfort during recovery, but a dentist or oral surgeon can prescribe acetaminophen and ibuprofen to alleviate pain and swelling.
Dental implants are one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern dentistry. This implant is designed to replace the root of missing teeth and looks like a natural tooth. They offer the best long-term tooth replacement option and are a more attractive alternative to traditional dentures or bridges.
An implant is a screw-shaped titanium post placed in the jawbone, fusing with the bone. This process, called “osseointegration,” makes the implant a strong foundation for artificial teeth or other prostheses.
If the patient doesn’t have enough healthy bone, a small graft may be needed before an implant can be put in place. The graft will help rebuild the jawbone area where the tooth was lost so that an implant can be attached.
After an implant is in place, it will need time to heal. During this healing period, the patient must stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the side where the implant is located. The patient must also visit the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
Most patients don’t experience much pain after the procedure, and if any discomfort does occur, over-the-counter medication can be used to control it. Patients with new artificial teeth should treat them like natural teeth, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. They should also schedule regular visits with their dental surgeon or hygienist.
Using a comprehensive dental exam, the doctor will evaluate the patient’s health and oral condition to determine whether they are eligible for an implant. Some patients will need to be treated for conditions such as gum disease, diabetes, or other chronic health problems before they can receive an implant.
Once the initial evaluation is completed, the doctor will develop a customized treatment plan for the patient. They will work closely with the hygienist and other team members to ensure the patient receives the best care possible before, during, and after the procedure. The patient needs to call the dentist immediately if they have any problems that could affect their implant recovery.
Implants can only be placed where adequate healthy bone can anchor it. The implant dentist may perform a bone graft to prepare the site to increase the healthy bone at the spot. Once enough healthy bone has grown, the dentist surgically places a titanium implant post (the equivalent of a tooth’s root) into the site. The dentist may place a healing cap on the implant and stitch the gums. As the implant heals, it bonds to the bone through a process known as osseointegration. A metal spacer called an abutment is then placed on the implant to allow the dentist to fabricate and easily place the artificial tooth or teeth on top of it.
Once the implant has healed, patients can eat normally and brush and floss as usual. However, they should avoid placing significant biting pressure on the implant for several months while it fully fuses with the bone.
If a patient doesn’t follow the implant surgeon’s guidelines for proper oral hygiene, bacteria can build up around the implant and cause inflammation, threatening the procedure’s success. If inflammation isn’t treated, the implant could fail to bond with the bone and need removal.
Lastly, patients should also avoid smoking or consuming alcohol until their dental implants have healed. These habits can reduce blood flow to the area and lead to a greater likelihood of infection.
Implant dentistry has several benefits, making it an excellent choice for many people. Not only do they fill in the gap left by missing teeth, but they can prevent the bone, face, and chin from changing shape to accommodate the missing gap. Additionally, implant dentistry can help to avoid a condition known as resorption, which can occur when the jawbone begins to degrade at the gap where a tooth once stood. This can lead to the surrounding teeth shifting and crooked, causing even more gaps in the future. Implants can replace one or multiple missing teeth in a row, making them an excellent alternative to traditional dentures and other tooth replacement options.
The longevity of dental implants depends on several factors, but most importantly, the patient’s overall health. Your dentist may require a medical history before you undergo surgery to ensure that your body can handle the stress of implant placement. It is especially important to tell your dentist about chronic conditions or medications that could interfere with the healing process and contribute to implant failure.
Following specific aftercare instructions in the days, weeks, and months following your treatment is also important. This includes avoiding smoking, eating soft foods, and brushing and flossing your teeth to keep them healthy. In addition, you should maintain regular visits to your dentist and hygienist to ensure that any potential issues can be identified early and stopped.
If you develop a problem with your dental implants, the FDA encourages prompt reporting via MedWatch, the agency’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. This can help ensure that the FDA gets accurate and comprehensive data to understand better potential problems with medical products, including dental implants.
Dental implants have an excellent success rate, but some situations can affect your chances of a successful outcome. For example, if you have poor oral hygiene or a habit of biting down on hard objects such as pencils, nails, pen tips, or even bottle caps, your implants will likely not last as long as they should.
Another possible cause for unsuccessful implant surgery is a lack of bone support in the jaw. This can sometimes be overcome by undergoing a bone graft procedure, which can rebuild the jawbone and create a solid foundation for the implant to adhere to.
Fortunately, most people do not experience any pain after dental implant surgery. This is because the surgical site is placed under local anesthetic, and most patients can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage post-treatment discomfort. If you experience complications after your surgery, contact your oral surgeon immediately. In most cases, the surgeon can correct the issue promptly.
The process begins with your dentist evaluating your mouth and taking X-rays and 3D imaging to gain more insight into the health of your gums and bones. Depending on the outcome of these, you may need pre-implant procedures like tooth extractions or a bone graft. These are necessary to improve the condition of your mouth and give you the best chance for implant success.
If you have enough jaw bone to support an implant, your dentist will take a small drill bit and create a hole in the top of your jaw. This is where the implant will go. It’s typically done with local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Depending on your needs, you may also receive IV sedation to make the experience as relaxing and painless as possible.
After the implant is inserted, it takes a few months for the bone to fuse with the metal in a process known as osseointegration. During this time, you’ll likely need to stick to a soft food diet and will want to avoid activities that could dislodge the implant. Your dental team will monitor your healing and provide you with any necessary instructions.
Once the implant has healed, your dentist will re-expose the implant through another incision and attach a small connector called an abutment. Afterward, your dentist will fabricate an artificial tooth, which can be an individual crown or a full set of dentures that contain multiple replacement teeth. The artificial tooth, or teeth, will be attached to the abutment with an abutment screw. Your dentist will make impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth to help them design the right look for your new teeth.
You must practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily to keep your new teeth looking good. Specially designed brushes that fit between your teeth and around the abutment can help you clean the nooks and crannies. It would help if you also visited your dental office regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Finally, it’s important to avoid damaging habits like smoking and chewing hard items that can break or damage your replacement teeth.
