Dental implants have become increasingly popular everywhere including Sammamish and Bellevue for tooth replacement and improving oral health. This guide offers an overview of dental implants, their types, benefits, risks. Artificial teeth (prosthesis) are good replacement for real teeth.
What Are Dental Implants? Dental implants are restorations designed to resemble and function like natural teeth. The metal part of a dental implant mimic a tooth root.
Unlike dental crowns and bridges, a dental implant replaces an entire tooth from root to crown. Dental implants consist of a titanium screw, an abutment, and a dental crown that resembles your natural tooth. Replacing lost teeth with dental implants can significantly enhance the quality of life.
Conventional dentures also referred as removable dentures are alternnative teeth replacement options to dental implants for tooth loss in dentistry.
Types of Implants:
- Endosteal implants: Most common type, inserted into the bone tissue for support.
- Subperiosteal implants: A thin metal frame resting on top of the jawbone, supporting multi-tooth restorations for those with shallow bone tissue.
- Zygomatic implants: Inserted at an angle into the cheekbone for support, suitable for people with insufficient bone tissue in the upper half of their mouth.
- All-on-4® implants: Full-mouth restoration technique with a full upper or lower arch of dental implant teeth attached to just four implants.
- Implant-retained dentures: Dentures with implant attachment buttons providing additional strength and stability.
- Single-tooth implants: One implant topped with a crown to replace a single tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges: Dental bridge supported by implants to replace multiple teeth in a row.
- Same-Day implants: Temporary crown and implant placed on the same day, replaced with a permanent crown after healing.
Prosthodontists, oral surgeons, gum specialists are more dental health providers place dental implants. Implant dentistry has changed in the last 30 years.
Dental Implants: Benefits Versus the Risks Benefits:
- Improve the appearance of your smile by filling gaps.
- Help you chew better.
- Preserve the alignment of your teeth.
- Prevent further loss of height in your jawbone.
- Enhance quality of life with a natural tooth-like function.
Risks:
- Failure due to poor healing.
- Failure due to poor oral hygiene.
- Surgical complications of the implant site during the healing process.
- Damage to nearby teeth during implant placement.
- Potential nerve damage from the surgery.
Dental implants are an excellent solution for restoring lost teeth and improving oral health in Sammamish and Bellevue. With various types available, dental implants can cater to different needs and preferences. The interdisciplinary dental team at PORTH can help you make an informed decision about dental implants and orthodontic treatment. While there are risks associated with dental implants, careful planning and proper oral care can significantly reduce the chances of complications and implant failure.
Dental Implant: What to Expect and How It Works with Orthodontic Treatment
Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. However, getting a dental implant requires thorough planning and evaluation by a qualified dentist. Here, we provide an overview of dental implants, including the basic process, the role of orthodontics, and how to care for them.
The Basic Process of Getting a Dental Implant:
- Visit a dentist for a check-up, teeth cleaning, and treatment plan.
- Address urgent oral health problems like cavities and gum disease.
- Ensure your overall health is suitable for dental implant surgery.
- Plan the dental implant surgery with X-rays and a surgical planning program.
- Undergo a brief surgical procedure where the dentist numbs the area, opens the gum tissue, creates a hole in the bone, inserts the implant, and closes the gums over the implant.
- Allow time for healing and osseointegration (bone fusion) of the implant.
- After about 4-6 months, visit the dentist to have the gum tissue opened, and an abutment placed on the implant.
- Get a custom-designed restoration placed onto the implant abutment.
- Attend a follow-up appointment to check the health of the tissue around the implant.
Local anesthesia ensures that the dental implant procedure is painless. Post-surgery, you may experience mild swelling and discomfort, which is manageable.
Orthodontists do not usually place dental implants, but they can help prepare the space for the implant. General dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons are professionals who often perform dental implant surgeries.
Life with a Dental Implant: Dental implants feel and function like natural teeth, except for the lack of sensation. They are securely rooted in the bone tissue, providing a stable, natural-looking, and permanent solution for replacing lost teeth. Most dental implants last for over 20 years, with some even reaching 30 years.
Caring for Your Dental Implant:
- Brush your implant along the gumline like your other teeth.
- Gently floss around your implant daily.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent plaque buildup.
- Get regular dental checkups to monitor the stability of your implant and the health of the surrounding bone tissue.
Dental implants are suitable for most people with missing teeth, but certain conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease (periodontal disease), smoking, major bone loss, recenet bone grafting, and being too young can prevent someone from getting implants. The reduced success rate out perform the benefits of dental implants.
The cost of dental implants varies, with the average cost in the United States being around $5,000. Dental insurance and financing plans can help make dental implants more affordable.
Orthodontics and Dental Implants: In many cases, a combination of orthodontic treatment and dental implants can create a healthy and youthful smile. It is best to complete orthodontic treatment before getting dental implants, as implants cannot be moved like natural teeth. There are various scenarios where orthodontic treatment may be necessary before, during, or after dental implant placement. Consultation with a professional can help determine the best course of action.
For those interested in orthodontic treatment and dental implants in the Seattle area, consider booking a consultation with an orthodontic practice like PORTH. They offer personalized treatment planning and a range of orthodontic solutions, including jaw surgery, esthetic braces, and clear aligners for adults. PORTH has two locations in Bellevue and Sammamish, WA, and also offers virtual consultations.