Losing your teeth because of decay, injury, or cavities can have severe side effects. Firstly, if you don’t get replacement teeth, the remaining ones can shift out of positions, especially the adjacent teeth. There is also a rapid decline in bone mass, which can cause other problems. If you are looking for a permanent way to replace lost natural teeth, the best choice is dental implants. Your general dentist in Torrance, CA, will evaluate if you are an ideal candidate for the procedure, but for your help, here is a procedure overview.
- Initial evaluation: The first step is to complete an oral exam, where the dentist will check the condition of your gums, teeth, and jawbone. You need enough bone to hold the implants, and when the jawbone is too soft or thin, they may recommend additional treatments, such as bone grafting. It is also important to ensure you don’t have gum disease.
- Oral surgery: The next step is oral surgery, where the dentist will place the implants inside the jawbone. After using local anesthesia, they will cut through the gums to access the jawbone. They will then place the implants inside after drilling deep holes. Such implants are called endosteal implants. There is also a second kind of implant, called the subperiosteal implant, where the posts are placed on the jawbone, and the procedure doesn’t require drilling holes.
- Osseointegration: It can take many weeks to up to six months for bone to grow around the implant posts. This process is called osseointegration. Only when the implants are secured and become a part of the mouth can your dentist move with the next step.
- Placing abutment: The implant post is just the foundation. Your dentist will next place abutments for implants, which work like a connector. Sometimes, this is done during the initial procedure, or the dentist may choose to wait. For the latter, the dentist will have to cut through the gum tissue that has grown over implants to place the abutments.
- Getting replacement teeth: You can decide with your dentist what kind of restoration you want. Depending on the needs and the number of teeth lost, you can decide between implant-supported crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dentures are ideal when more teeth are missing, while crowns and bridges are reserved when only a few natural teeth have been removed. They will usually take impressions of your mouth and order restorations accordingly. It can take a few weeks for the replacement teeth to get ready. Your dentist will call you back to place the restorations.
Things to know about dental implants
Getting implants is always better than traditional dentures. With implant-supported dentures, you don’t have to bother about replacement teeth moving around inside the mouth. Even implant-supported bridges are better than conventional bridges, as there is no need to prepare healthy teeth. Patients who have lost all of their natural teeth can also consider All-on-4 dental implants. Only two implants are used for each arch to replace an entire set of missing teeth. Before you consider the procedure, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, because the process of osseointegration can take time, you may have to wait a significant amount of time to get your replacement teeth. Also, you must qualify for oral surgery. If your dentist believes you need pretreatments before implants, the time to restore your smile can be longer.
Final takeaway
Despite the need for surgery and a long recover period, dental implants continue to be the best and most effective way to replace lost teeth. Talk to your dentist in Torrance to learn more about specific concerns and risks unique to your case.