What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are made of metal resembling screws. These are implanted in the area of the missing tooth, and eventually, bone growth covers the implant, ensuring the implant is secured in place. A crown or artificial tooth is fixed onto the implant to cover the gap left over from the missing tooth. This crown is adjusted to resemble the teeth of the patient. 

Who needs to get a dental implant?

Anyone who has lost teeth can get a dental implant to replace their teeth and restore their appearance and enjoy their food better. Dental implants are suitable for those with a healthy jaw bone, gums and those without any conditions that can have an adverse effect on bone healing. It is important to have a thorough discussion with your dentist who will provide you with the best advice with regards to getting a dental implant. 

What is the process in getting a dental implant?

The entire process is quite lengthy and requires multiple visits to the dentist. However, it is necessary to obtain the right measurements of a person's jaw and teeth and ensure that the person's mouth will adjust to the implant. Here are key steps involved in getting a dental implant:

• Initially, the dentist will take X-rays of your mouth to make a judgement of where to place the dental implant.
• If your gums are not healed from some kind of trauma, then they will be given a few weeks to heal properly.
• The dental implant will be inserted into your jaw bone under general anaesthetic. 
• The dentist will monitor the implant for a few months to ensure that bone growth is occurring properly and there aren't any issues such as infection.
• After the implant has stabilized, the dentist will begin forming the tooth to place on top of the implant.
• The artificial tooth will be placed on top of the implant.

As with any surgical procedure, there will be some discomfort following the surgical procedure. This occurs in the form of swelling and bleeding and will require you to eat a soft diet for a few days. Side effects of dental implants are uncommon but do occur in some rare cases. These include nerve damage, infection and sinus problems. Another factor you need to consider before getting a dental implant is the cost. Dental implants are expensive, and you should be aware of all the expenses before opting for dental implants. 

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