Dental implants are one of the most life-changing dental procedures in modern dentistry. In fact, the number of adults with missing teeth who choose to get dental implants rose from just 0.7% to 5.7% between 1999 and 2016, and that number has continued to climb at a fast pace.
Yet, there are still many people who feel reluctant. Often, this hesitation comes from fear, confusion, or misinformation. Read on to get clear and accurate information about dental implants, including how to know if you’re a good candidate, what to expect during and after the procedure, how to care for your dental implants, and where to find a dentist who provides the best dental implants in Scottsdale.
How to Decide if You’re a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed directly into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone over time and act as a replacement tooth root. After a healing period, a natural-looking dental crown is then attached to the dental implant, so the finished result looks and feels like the natural tooth that was there before.
The first question most people ask us is, “Can I even get a dental implant?” The good news is that most adults with good oral health qualify for this treatment. In fact, it’s the best restorative dental treatment for adults who are missing one or more teeth, as long as you have good overall health and do not have active gum disease. Age alone is almost never a barrier, and many patients receive dental implants well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond. That said, a few health conditions can make the process more complicated, including:
- Certain chronic medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes
- Severe bone loss in the jaw
- Active gum disease
Many times, patients who do not qualify right away can become candidates after completing preparatory treatments like bone grafting or periodontal treatments. Getting a thorough evaluation and consultation with the best dentist in Scottsdale is the best way to find out exactly where you stand and what your treatment options are.
What to Expect Before, During, and After You Get Dental Implants
Understanding what happens during and after dental implant surgery can take a lot of the anxiety out of it. Getting dental implants is typically a three-part procedure:
- First, a titanium tooth root is embedded into the bone below the gum line during a surgical procedure. This procedure is completely with local anesthetic to keep you numb, as well as sedation dentistry techniques to help you relax.
- Next, a temporary crown is placed that gives you the ability to chew and eat as normal while you wait for your dental implant to fully heal and fuse with your jawbone. This typically takes three to six months.
- Lastly, an abutment connects to the artificial tooth root, and a custom dental crown is attached on top. In some cases, an entire arch of teeth can be supported by as few as four to six implants.
Total treatment time depends on your medical and dental history, the quality of bone in your jaw, and the specific techniques your dentist uses. Choosing the best dentist in North Scottdale, who is well-versed in modern dental techniques, will ensure you have the best and fastest results possible.
Is Getting Dental Implants Painful?
Pain is what concerns most people, but the reality is usually far less than what most people expect. The procedure itself relies on modern dental sedation techniques that can include intravenous sedation to keep patients comfortable from beginning to end.
After surgery, most patients need only over-the-counter pain relievers for a few days while they follow a soft diet. Some soreness in the area is expected, but that discomfort should steadily decrease over the first week. Applying ice packs to the outside of your face in 15-minute intervals, keeping your head elevated while resting, and avoiding any physical exertion during that first day are the most effective steps you can take to control swelling and stay comfortable.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
Once your dental implant is fully healed and your permanent dental crown is in place, caring for it is pretty straightforward and looks a lot like the routine for caring for natural teeth:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- Keep up with regular professional dental cleanings and checkups
One thing worth understanding is that while the implant post and crown cannot develop a cavity, the gum tissue around them still needs proper oral care. The health of the gum tissue surrounding an implant directly affects the strength and integrity of the jawbone beneath it. Patients who take care of their implants tend to keep them for a very long time, sometimes a decade or more.
Where to Find a Dental Provider who Offers the Best Dental Implants in Scottsdale
A missing tooth does not have to be a permanent part of your life. Dental implants offer natural-looking, permanent results that you will love. At our state-of-the-art dental clinic in North Scottsdale, Dr. Bisbing brings a level of precision and care to dental implants that goes well beyond the average dental office. We take a patient-first approach to restorative dentistry that ensures you have a comfortable, pain-free experience and fast recovery.
Ready to see how dental implants with the best dentist in Scottsdale can restore your smile?
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