Dental Implants In Atascadero

Dental implants are metal props that are used to replace the roots of missing teeth. The artificial crown (tooth) is placed on the extension of the abutment (prop) on that dental implant to ensure that you get the look of the real tooth.

What Is Dental Implant Surgery?

A dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces a person’s tooth root or the damaged tooth with an artificial one that function and look like the real one. Dental implant surgery may give an alternative to bridgework or the dentures that do not fit well in the patient's mouth.

The condition of an individual’s jawbone and the type of implant the person wants influences how the dental implant surgery will be performed. All dental implants surgeries, however, occurs in stages and it involves several procedures. The main advantage of these implants is that they offer solid support for the new teeth. This process nevertheless may take several months because the jawbone has to heal tightly around the region of the implant.

Why are Dental Implants Important?

The dental implants are normally surgically placed on an individual’s jawbone where they act as the root of the missing teeth. The implant has titanium that will fuse in the jawbone and it will not cause bone damage, make any noise or slip. The material used in the implant will also not decay.

You can have dental implants if;

a. You have any missing tooth.
b. Your jawbone has reached its full growth.
c. You have adequate bone that can support a bone graft or that can secure the implants.
d. Your oral tissues are healthy.
e. You do not have health conditions that can affect the healing of the bone.
f. You are unable or do not want to wear the dentures.
g. You want to improve your speech.
h. You can commit your several months to this process.

Risks involved in dental implants

There are certain health risks that are posed by dental implants just like in any other surgery. These problems are usually rare and when they occur they are minor and they can be easily treated. These risks include;

• Infection in the implant region.
• Damage or injury to the surrounding structures such as blood vessels or teeth.
• Nerve damage that may cause numbness, and tingling in the natural tooth, chin, gum or lip and pain.
• Sinus problem if the dental implant is placed in your upper jaw and it protrudes to one of the sinus cavities.

Preparing For A Dental Implant Surgery

Since the dental implants will require some surgical procedures, an individual has to go through some evaluations to prepare them for this process. This will include;

1. A comprehensive dental exam. This may include dental X-rays that will be used to make a model for your mouth and teeth.
2. A treatment plan. According to your situation, the plans will take into consideration the number of your teeth that you want to replace and your jawbone condition. This planning process can involve several dental specialists such as the doctor who have specialised in face, mouth and jaw (maxillofacial and oral surgeon) and the dentist who works with the support structures of the teeth (periodontics)

You should tell your doctor if you are on any medication or if you have any medical condition. If you have orthopaedic implants or a heart condition, your doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics before the surgery to prevent infections.

To regulate pain and anaesthesia options during the surgery, a local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia or sedation should be included. You can consult with your dentist in Atascadero on the option that would be the best for you. The dental care team will advise you what to drink or eat before the surgery based on the type of anaesthesia that will be used during the surgery. If you will use general anaesthesia, ensure that you have a person to take you home when the surgery is over. You should also rest for a while after the surgery.

What You Should Expect During a Dental Implant Surgery

A dental implant surgery is normally an outpatient surgery that is performed in several stages. You should, therefore, be prepared psychologically for these procedures:

• Removal of your damaged tooth.
• Preparing your jawbone for the surgery. This could involve bone grafting.
• Placement of dental implant metal post after the jawbone has healed by the oral surgeon.
• You will then go through the healing period and this can take several months.
• Your oral surgeon will place the abutment.