Dental implants have become a popular solution for replacing missing teeth, offering durability and functionality. However, patients often have many questions about this treatment. This article aims to answer the most frequently asked questions about dental implant treatment.
What Are Dental Implants? Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, typically made of titanium, that provide a permanent base for fixed or removable replacement teeth. They are designed to blend with natural teeth and are a durable solution for tooth loss.
The implant, inserted into the jawbone, acts as a support for the crown (the visible part of the tooth). Over time, the implant integrates with the bone in a process called osseointegration, providing stable support for artificial teeth.
Most adults in good general and oral health, with sufficient jawbone to support implants, are candidates. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or cancer may affect eligibility.
The duration varies depending on the number of implants and the patient’s oral health. It can range from a single visit to several months, including the healing period.
Is the Implant Procedure Painful? Most patients report minimal discomfort, often less than a tooth extraction. Local anesthesia is used during the procedure, and sedation options are available.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost? Costs vary based on the number of implants, material used, and geographical location. While implants can be more expensive upfront, they offer a long-term solution, potentially reducing future dental costs.
What is the Success Rate of Dental Implants? Dental implants have a high success rate, typically above 95%. Success depends on the implant’s location in the jaw and patient’s overall health and oral care.
What is the Recovery Time? Recovery times vary. Most patients resume normal activities the day after surgery, but healing can take several weeks to months, especially if bone grafting is involved.
How Do I Care for My Dental Implants? Implants require the same care as natural teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. Good oral hygiene is crucial for the longevity of the implant.
Can Dental Implants Fail? While rare, failure can occur due to poor oral hygiene, infection, or insufficient bone fusion. Smoking can also increase the risk of failure.
Everyone over 18 years old can have dental implants. Under 18 age it cannot be applied because of the evaluating of the bone.
All dental implants are made from the similar material in fact. Brands do changings on the titanium based surface to make implants much better and can be osseointegrated even on the weak bone.
As discussed earlier, the two primary dental implant materials are titanium and zirconia. Each of these two dental implant materials has their unique features. For instance, titanium has been tested and provided a high success rate in both medical and dental procedures. Its versatility set it apart from the zirconia.
Dentures are removable prothesis which are applied to the edentulous patients. They are so difficult to use, need to be washed after every meal, may cause retention of the bacterias, and with the continious bone loss, they need to change every 3-4 years. Patients have difficulties to feel taste usually.
Dental bridges are made on the teeth for covering one or several teeth missing. The teeth over the space area are cut and used as abutments. It can help to fill the space, but you need to accept that your other teeth need to be cut and get weak.
Implants are the best solutions for the missing teeth. Removable or fixed prothesis, they can be made easily with implants. Even removable prothesis can be used much easily, they can be fixed on the implants with ball or bar systems, if the patient does not take it out, the prothesis does not move into the mouth.
If the bone quality is good, we can put 6 to 8 implants per jaw to the edentulous mouth, and we can make fixed crowns. The patient can use it like his/her own teeth easily.
Full mouth dental implants are made for the edentulous mouth.
According to the bone quality or general health of the patients, implant counts may change. In the literature , 6 implants are placed to the lower jaw and 8 implants are placed to the upper side. But it actually depends on the patient. If the bone is weak, then we can use 8 inplants on the lower jaw. Or if we don’t have enough bone on the back sides , we can use 4 or 6 implants per jaw on the front side, with a special technique named All-on-four or All-on-six.
For the implant placement, first all the diagnosis and radiographic planning and the prosthetic planning are prepared. After the anesthesia, the gum incision is made or not according to the implant placement technique. With the special drills the implant space is prepared into the bone and the implant is placed. The cover screws are put and the gum is closed with the stitches
First period includes putting implants which can take 1-5 days.
After 10-12 weeks, this is healing period, you should come to the clinic for second time to get your crowns. It takes 2-7 days.
After the implant surgery, you should wait for healing period about 10-12 weeks. You Definitely Not Gain Weight Because of Implant Surgery but …
After the implant surgery, you should wait for healing period about 10-12 weeks.
In relation to the number of implants placed in your mouth, you may have difficulty eating. For this reason, some implant patients lose weight.
This situation has nothing to do with implant surgery. Weight loss can be observed only depending on the comfort of eating.