Tooth loss is an extremely common occurrence in everyday life whether it is through natural loss, through a dental procedure or by accidental loss. No matter what the reason, the solution to maintaining or in some cases regaining a confident smile is through having the popular tooth restorative procedure that is known as dental implants. This particular restorative treatment is often the preferred method to use by dentists worldwide, as by inserting the small titanium screw within the jaw it helps promote bone growth, reduces the risk of the face appearing sunken and provides a natural looking, comfortable, long-term tooth replacement.
What does the procedure entail?
Once a consultation has occurred regarding the dental implants, the decision will be made as to whether or not this is the best course of action for your particular case. In most cases it is the highly preferred option within the dental world and the procedure, whilst sometimes time consuming, is well worth the natural-looking, stable tooth replacement.
So on to the procedure.
To begin with a local anaesthetic will be applied to the area where the implant will be inserted ensuring that the area is numb, as a small incision within the gum will be made. Using a small dental drill the small titanium screw will then be inserted within the jawbone.
Depending solely on the patient’s individual case there are two possible options which will follow. The first being that once the implant is in place the jaw is left to heal for several months before the restoration is completed. This allows the bone to regrow around the implant and cement it in. The second possibility is that the restoration occurs almost immediately. Either possibility will provide a long lasting, stable restoration.
Once some healing has occurred a post will be attached to the implant and followed by a metal or porcelain crown. Crowns are made individually so that the patient can rest assured that it will fit in seamlessly and comfortably with the natural teeth around it.
After the restoration has been completed there will be a series of implant therapy sessions over the following few months to ensure that everything is healing securely and causing no discomfort to the patient.
How will the patient know that this is the best option for tooth restoration?
As mentioned above before any treatments or procedures occur there will be an initial consultation. This allows the patient to ask any questions they may have and discuss the details of the restoration. The intention of this is to put the patient at ease before the procedure occurs and allows them time to do their own research and express any concerns that may be there. Most dental practices pride themselves on providing a calm, relaxed atmosphere for all their patients and this initial consultation is another way of establishing this particular atmosphere.
Please note, all dental treatments and procedures can vary slightly. Therefore all patients are advised to seek further information on anything mentioned in this article they are interested in from their local dental surgery.