Are you missing a tooth? Maybe you’re missing a series of teeth. What do you do? Dental implants might be your best option.
Dental implants are becoming more and more popular among dentists and patients as the best solution to lost teeth, but are they right for you? Do they hurt? What benefits do they have? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Here’s our rookie guide to dental implants.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are positioned within the jawbone and capped with a new tooth. Dental implants are often recommended as they provide patients with a strong base in order to help the tooth stay in place and are a long-lasting substitute. Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth or a series of missing teeth, and are available in different shapes, sizes, and textures.
Are dental implants right for everyone?
The short answer is no. Patient selection is by far the most important step in planning for the implant. You might be denied of a dental implant if you smoke cigarettes, chew tobacco, or have poor oral hygiene. After examining your medical history and dental records, your dentist will assess your bone quality to be sure your body will be able to support the implant.
Do dental implants hurt?
Again, the short answer is no. In today’s world of rapidly advancing dental technology, dental implants are standard procedure. Your dentist can apply local anesthetic, and in terms of pain, the process of getting your dental implant can be equated to the removal of wisdom teeth. Like any recovery process, dental implants will get some taking used to but it shouldn’t be too difficult — just some mild discomfort for a short period of time.
If you have any other questions regarding dental implants, or are interested to see if you would be a candidate for the procedure, contact us today!