With continuous improvements in technology, dentistry (a prominent branch of medicine) has also undergone a phenomenal change. This is true for all procedures and treatments in dentistry. Therefore, when you go for teeth implants in Los Angeles you must be prepared to be pleasantly surprised at the brilliant facilities that are available in this field.
Dental Implants- Little Screws or Anchors that Take the Place of Teeth’s Roots
Dental implant is an artificial tooth root used to support and provide a strong foundation for missing tooth/teeth. Implants are made up of titanium and are both biocompatible and strong. They are utilized in either the upper jaw or lower jaw, and are meant to uphold prosthetics like artificial teeth, bridge or dentures. Since the tooth implant is now an integral part of the jaw, they can substitute a complete arch of the bridgework. Modern day implants will be integrated to the jaw in a way that the restored teeth both look and feel natural. Your implant dentist can in the current days perform the implant procedure in a manner that implants fit more firmly and securely as compare to traditional substitutes(like dentures). The tooth implant procedure is classified as a form of prosthetic dentistry, but is considered a type of cosmetic dentistry as well.
People who have lost teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease or injury may feel extremely self-conscious to talk, smile or eat in public. In addition, biting irregularities caused of teeth loss can have an adverse impact on eating habits, leading to secondary health ailments such as malnutrition.
However, by restoring the lost teeth roots, implants render people with stability and strength needed to eat all sorts the foods they love, without slogging to chew. Moreover, implants maintain and stimulate jawbone, averting bone loss and helping to maintain facial structure.
Dental Implants– Consultation, Placement and Healing Period:
To ascertain if dental implants are right option for you, a consultation with an experienced implant dentist, periodontist or dental surgeon is required. During this appointment, your periodontist will thoroughly examine your gums and teeth and will even assess bone density. This may involve CT scans and X-rays to make sure there is adequate bone structure for placing the implants, and to ascertain exactly where the site where the tooth implant is to be placed.
As per the condition of your dental hygiene, dental tissues and personal habits, and commitment to pursue aftercare instructions, your periodontist will recommend you of the most appropriate implant treatment plan. Some patients with inadequate gum or bone quantity need bone or gum tissue grafts and utilization of mini implants.
Based on your oral condition, your periodontist will tell you of the total duration your complete treatment procedure will take, what results you can expect after each procedure and how many total visits will be required. During the consultation, options like sedation dentistry and local anesthesia, if required, would also be discussed.
Implant Placement Procedure:
Present day teeth implants are virtually indistinguishable from other teeth. They look, feel and function exactly like natural teeth. Implants are usually placed in one sitting, but need 3-6 months of healing period referred to as Osseointegration.
Osseointegration is the process in which implants anchors and bonds well with the jawbone. Osseointegrated implants are most widely utilized and are most successful type of implants. An Osseointegration implant takes around 3-6 months to anchor as well as heal. When your implants have healed properly, the periodontist can complete the procedure by fixing the crown restoration. In case Osseointegration does not take place, the implant would fail.
Following are the Detailed Procedural steps:
Preparing the Jawbone for Tooth Implant:
An implant restoration is commonly composed of titanium metal post or crown. A small incision is drilled at edentulous (where the tooth is missing) jaw areas to guide the titanium screw that holds an implant intact. To prevent damaging eminent face and jaw structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw, a periodontist should utilize top notch quality treatment, great expertise and skills when sizing the jaw bone and making a pilot hole.
Placement of the Tooth Implant: After the incision has been made into the required jaw site, it is slowly widened to facilitate placement of the dental implant screw. Once in place, adjoining gum tissues are secured over the implant restoration and a protective cover screw in fixed on the top to facilitate the area to heal and Osseointegration to take place. After 6-months of healing, your periodontist will expose the implant and attach an abutment (holds the crown) to the dental implant. When the abutment is in place, a periodontist will custom-create a provisional crown. The provisional crown serves like a template around which the gum tissues grow and shapes itself in a natural manner. The procedure is completed when the provisional crown is replaced with a permanent crown.
Recovery:
Implants healing and recovery chiefly depends on number of factors, one of which includes the different procedures essential to complete your treatment. However, it is usually recognized that once a dental implant has been placed, maintaining careful dental hygiene habits is entailed to ensure appropriate bonding of the implant restoration and bone structure. If properly cared for, an implant can last a lifetime.
Healing from the surgical implant placement procedure takes around 6-months, while the placing of the crown can take 2-months. Again, this duration depends purely on individual cases and the implant treatment provided.
Aftercare and Follow-up:
Follow-up appointments with your periodontists are vital for monitoring your progress Failure to brush and floss is the prime cause of implant failure, and infection can take place in case the implant and adjoining areas are not cleaned thoroughly. Smoking is also attributed to high failure rates with teeth implants and must be avoided following the implant procedure.