New Port Richey dental patients can see many advantages from tooth implants, which have earned a reputation for having the highest success rate of all types of implants.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth that’s lost as a result of a mishap or injury, or you can replace multiple teeth, lost as a result of decay, disease or an accident. But how do these implants work and what’s involved with getting a tooth implant?
Basics on Dental Implants
New Port Richey dentists who offer dental implants will perform an exam and evaluation, at which time it will be determined which type of implant is most suitable for the patient. At the end of the evaluation, an appointment will be scheduled to perform any necessary extractions and then, the implant surgery.
Prior to the placement of dental implants, New Port Richey patients may need to undergo an extraction to remove the damaged tooth. This will usually be done a few weeks before the implant surgery so the bone will fill into the empty socket. This provides the implant’s anchor with more surface area to “grasp.” A bone graft is often used to speed healing.
Typically, dental implants are placed under local anesthesia and many dental clinics also offer conscious sedation, where you’re awake, but extremely relaxed. In rare cases, general anesthesia — where you’re put to “sleep” during the operation — is required.
The “root” or anchor portion of the dental implant is made of titanium, a lightweight metal that’s very well tolerated by the human body. Adverse reactions and rejections are very uncommon. The other part of the implant is a crown that looks and functions like a real tooth.
After you’ve received your new implant, it typically takes a few weeks for the screw-like implant “root” to fuse with the jaw bone. It’s common for the anchor portion of the implant to be placed first, followed by the visible tooth portion. This is always the case for “all-on-4” implants.
New Port Richey dental implant patients will enjoy restored eating and speaking ability, along with a more a natural facial shape and jaw shape, as tooth loss can adversely impact your appearance.
The Different Varieties of Dental Implants
New Port Richey dental patients will have different implant options depending upon their unique dental condition. Sometimes, a single tooth is all that’s required. In other cases, dental implants are placed to serve as an “anchor” for dental bridgework and dentures. This offers a more stable option, eliminating the need for denture paste. Plus, you’ll no longer need to worry about your teeth popping out if you bite into an apple!
“All-on-4” implants are another kind of dental implant that’s most common amongst the elderly and others who need an entire jaw’s worth of teeth. With these implants, four anchors are implanted into each jaw. These anchors have a small nub that sits above the gum line. This anchor is used to attach a denture, which is securely held in place by the implants.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Anchor Dental Care*