If you have lost one, several, or an entire arch of teeth, you can ask your dentist about replacing these missing teeth with dental implants. These fixtures offer comprehensive restorative benefits to fully enhance the look, function, and health of your smile in the wake of tooth loss.
Though the advantages seem clear, patients might worry about the amount of time they might need to heal from this dental procedure and what the treatment entails. Schedule a consult with your dentist to learn details about your unique treatment plan. But you can also read on to find responses from your Greeley, CO dentist to frequently asked questions about the dental implant process and recovery.
How Long Does the Implant Dentistry Process Take?
Receiving dental implants involves a multi-step process that will take three or more visits to your dentist’s office to complete. First, you schedule a consultation where a dentist will ensure implant dentistry is the best way to replace your missing teeth. They will check your jawbone structure to make sure it is stable enough to support the anchors of the implant.
Then you will undergo oral surgery to place the anchors of the implant into the jaw. It can take three or more months for these surgical sites to heal and for the anchors to fuse with the jawbone to create support for prosthetic teeth.
You will return to your dentist after this recovery to receive the prosthetic teeth and complete the implant dentistry process. The dentist attaches a crown, bridge, or denture to the anchors for a permanent and secure fit. Though a lengthy and somewhat invasive process, you can feel confident in the stability and longevity of this tooth replacement.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Many dental patients worry that the invasive nature of implant dentistry will mean that this process will hurt. But dentists prioritize patient comfort through each step of this procedure.
During the anchor placement procedure, you will receive both local anesthetics to numb the affected area and dental sedation to make you feel relaxed through the process. You will also receive pain management guidelines to reduce soreness and other symptoms as you recover at home.
Receiving prosthetic teeth will not hurt either. If you do feel extreme pain from your implants, this could mean the fixtures are failing. Call your dentist right away for urgent care to resolve this issue. They might need to remove the failing implant.
What Benefits Can I Expect from Dental Implants?
Dental implants are restorative dental fixtures that will replace missing teeth according to your unique needs and oral health goals. They fill gaps in your smile after tooth loss, giving you a gorgeous and natural-looking finish that you can feel proud of.
The implants are strong enough to restore your oral function as well. You can chew, bite, and speak as you normally would, without the disruption that missing teeth may have caused you. The durable material and support from the anchors mean you need not worry about devices slipping out of place.
You can also preserve the structure of your smile and face. This is because the anchors replace missing tooth roots, preventing jawbone deterioration. These benefits will last for twenty years or longer with proper oral health care.