Millions of Americans suffer tooth loss, mostly due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, a genetic condition, or injury. Missing teeth can cause a lot of problems. It can impact the alignment of your teeth over time, your ability to chew your food, the integrity of your jawbone, and even affect your speech. Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are the best tooth replacement that looks and feels like real teeth.
If you or your loved ones have lost one or more teeth because of any reason, you might be considering getting dental implants. Keep reading to learn about the types of implants and get answers to frequently asked questions.
What are the types of dental implants?
There are three common types of dental implants that you can choose from Endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic.
1. Endosteal Implants
Endosteal Implants are the most common type of dental implant. They are suited for most patients, but you need to have a healthy jawbone for the post to fuse to.
2. Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal Implants are not fixed to the jawbone. They rest on top of the bone but still under the gum.
3. Zygomatic Implants
Zygomatic implants are used when a patient does not have enough jawbone for the implant. The Zygomatic Implant is placed in the patient’s cheekbone rather than the jawbone.
All-On-4 Dental Implants
This is a revolutionary approach to solving the problem of multiple missing teeth. This is a less invasive dental implant treatment. In All-in-4 dental implants, an experienced dentist will first remove your existing teeth and strategically place 4 dental implants into the jawbone. These will act as the foundation for your new prosthetic teeth. This implant type has two components, the 4 implants that are fixed permanently and fused to the jaw bone, and the teeth that are affixed to the implant.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution to tooth loss. They can last between 20 and 30 years. The lifespan of dental implants depends entirely on how well you look after your teeth and your oral hygiene.
Is dental implant painful?
With dental implant surgery, a lot of our patients ask us, “Is it painful to get dental implants?”
Local anesthesia will numb the nerves surrounding the dental implant area. With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure. You can expect some tenderness after the anesthesia wears off. Your dentist will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever for any discomfort felt during the healing process. It is essential that you follow any aftercare points, such as:
- Avoid straws for 24 hours following surgery.
- Expect some minor swelling for 2 to 3 days.
- The day following rinse with salt water 3 to 4 times daily.
- Avoid overly hot food in the first 48 hours.
- Stick to a liquid diet for 24-48 hours.
- Avoid smoking for at least three days following surgery.
Am I suitable for dental implants?
To understand if you’re suitable for dental implant treatment, let’s discuss the process first. A dental implant is implanted into your jawbone. If you think about the structure of a natural tooth, consider that they have roots that keep them in place. In dental implants, they have a titanium post. That post is inserted in the bone of your jaw. The jawbone will fuse to the implant and ultimately make it part of the jaw and mouth as a permanent fixture.
Dental implants are not suitable for people whose jawbone might still be growing. Someone who has poor oral health habits is not a good candidate for dental implants. People who smoke or chew tobacco a lot are not ideal candidates for dental implants. If you suffer from the following things, you might not be a candidate.
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s
- Autoimmune diseases
- Osteoporosis
- Bone deterioration diseases
- Poor psychological health
- Systemic diseases
Schedule a consultation with South Flores Family Dental to know if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Conclusion
Dental implants are a great option for people who want to improve their smiles. Implants give you a natural-looking replacement tooth that is stable and secure. Dental implants also last a long time. If you are considering getting dental implants, you should visit South Flores Family Dental. Get in contact with our dentist, Dr. Martin Garcia, in our office in San Antonio, TX to schedule your consultation today! Or call us at (210) 225-3333.