Forest Smiles – The Best Dentist in Lynchburg, VA
A dental implant is a type of “root” product, typically made from titanium, which is used in dentistry to aid in necessary dental corrections. Dental implants resemble a tooth, or group of teeth, and are intended to substitute missing teeth. The vast majority of dental implants are created out of commercially pure titanium, which exists in 4 grades based upon the total amount of carbon and iron the implant is comprised of.
Dental implants are intended to provide a foundation to fixed bridgework, dentures, and the substitution of 1 or more missing teeth, in addition to providing long-term maintenance support.
They are typically positioned inside the jawbone and eventually become attached to surrounding bone. This creates an implant that has a shape resembling the root of a genuine tooth. The jawbone then accepts the foreign “root” and osseointegrates to the implant through the titanium post.
Osseointegration is a term used to describe the blending of the implant to the area with the surrounding bone. Dental implants will fuse with bone; however, they lack the periodontal ligament, so patients will experience a slightly different feeling than they would have with natural teeth when biting or chewing.
New dental implants will remain firm as opposed to having the flexibility that natural teeth possess because they’re independently attached to the periodontal ligament.
Before the development of the implants that resemble an actual root, the majority of implants were either blade endosseous or sub-periosteal implants. Blade endosseous implants consisted of the material, which resembled a flat blade, being inserted inside the bone. Sub-periosteal implants consisted of a platform which was constructed for the implant to lie upon which was then attached with screws to the exposed jawbone.
Dental implants can be utilized to assist with several dental prostheses, including dentures, caps, or implant-supported bridges. Implants can also function as an anchor for tooth movement during orthodontia treatments. Un-directional tooth activity is also permitted without common action through the use of dental implants.
It is important to consider that not every person is a right candidate for dental implants. Having adequate supportive bone present is a necessity, especially in the top of the jaw that is so close to the maxillary sinus. Additionally, you must be in good overall and oral health.
However, if there is not adequate supportive bone, there are procedures that a patient can undergo to provide sufficient bone such as sinus lifts or bone grafts and/or augmentations. A common procedure is to place implants towards the mandibular canal which has the mandibular nerve running through it.
Keep in mind that when you have implants put in such areas, you could end up with prolonged and/or permanent numbness of the lower lip and jaw. Most definitely an unfavorable end result!
You must do your research regarding experts in your area to ensure that the specialist you select is trained and experienced in dental implant techniques.
Typically, general practitioners, oral surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists have had the required training and education and may do this service for you personally.
There are a number of ways you can undergo the actual implantation that helps ensure comfort during the positioning of the implant. The use of a local anesthetic is a common practice, though other methods such as IV sedation or nitrous oxide are often offered depending on your needs and desired level of comfort.
In the event that you choose to have your dental professional try one of these methods, make certain to ask how many procedures they have completed. Additionally, ask them when and where they were trained in these various implant techniques.
The recovery time required prior to the placement of the implant around the denture, crown, or fixed bridge can be varied. Practitioners tend to recommend somewhere between 2-6 months for the healing process and complete bone integration to take place.
That being said, the immediate placement directly to a recent removal site followed by the immediate loading has become more a common practice as of late, since the success rates for this procedure are now quite acceptable.
The “Teeth per Day” advertisements you may see specify an operation in which a totally edentulous (no exiting teeth) scenario exists, indicating that most teeth have already been extracted or are to be extracted.
A question that may arise is “What is the rate of success for dental implants?” Well, that depends on the capabilities of the dental professional, the standard and quantity of bone present, the individual’s dental care, and state of loyal gum tissue and the rest of the teeth.
A patient who smokes, has diabetes, has poor oral hygiene practices, or has other unhealthy practices reducing overall health problems isn’t a very good prospect for successful enhancement treatments.
For good candidates, the chance for a successful procedure is extremely high, at roughly 95%. The price for a fundamental dental implant is normally $1,250 to $3,000. This base fee may vary depending upon your circumstances, unforeseen additional costs for things such as bone regeneration, the elevation of sinuses, and slim or wide diameter improvements. These unforeseen costs can easily escalate the base cost for the upper or lower jaw to up to $15,000 to $30,000 for the whole treatment.
However, a relevant cost of the un-complicated simple implant may differ between $1,500 and $3,000 depending upon your dental professional and location.
For example, many dental schools may offer discounts to perform a single implant procedure in comparison to the procedure at an established practice elsewhere. Additionally, if you live in the vicinity of dental school and are accepted into their implant program, you may be eligible for significant discounts for implant procedures performed.
Keep in mind that the majority of monetary estimates that are given for implants are not always inclusive. It is your responsibility to determine what the final cost will come out to, including any superstructures that may be place on top of the implant, crowns, dentures, or bridgework that may be required for the implant procedure to take place.
For individuals who have to wear lower dentures, the enhancement process has transformed and improved greatly over time. Assuming that you are a great candidate and can financially manage the procedure, dental implants can significantly enhance your total well-being.