It is normal to lose a tooth or more due to decay, dental trauma, gum disease, or aging. However, dentists do not recommend remaining toothless. Instead, they advocate for tooth replacement through various methods and techniques, such as dental implant surgery.
A dental implant procedure is quite invasive, but it is performed after the administration of anesthetics and sedatives. These ensure that the patient is relaxed and not in pain during each step of the process. After the implant surgery, you will experience
slight pain and discomfort during the recovery period. Fortunately, the side effects can be managed with medicine and fade within a week after surgery. The pain can also be alleviated with proper post-surgery care. It includes resting for a few days, avoiding hard and hot foods, using ice packs to reduce pain, and maintaining good oral hygiene.
If the pain persists 7-10 days after surgery, you need to visit your dentist in Cypress, TX, as it indicates a complication. They will determine the cause of the pain and treat it so that your implant functions properly.
What Are Dental Implants?
They are artificial tooth roots used for complete tooth replacement after tooth loss. Dental implants are the most natural tooth restoration since they restore full function and aesthetics. These restorations consist of a titanium post and a dental crown or dentures. The implant is placed inside the jawbone on the missing tooth socket, and the crown is attached on top.
The dentist in Cypress, TX, offers several types of implants whereby each is placed differently. This expert places the implants depending on the sufficiency of your jawbone, individual preferences, and needs. The number of teeth being restored also determines the implant type used.
Various dental implant types include endosteal and subperiosteal implants. Endosteal implants are screwed in the jawbone and require the patient to have sufficient jawbone density and health. A subperiosteal implant is different because it is fixed on the jawbone but beneath the gum. They are ideal for patients with a naturally narrow or worn-down jawbone.
What is The Procedure for Dental Implants?
The procedure for dental implants in Cypress, TX, takes place in three primary phases. They are:
- 1. Evaluation and preparation
Our dentist near you will perform a CT scan to evaluate your existing dentition and jaw bone structure. The results will determine the treatment plan to be followed. They will show if a bone graft is necessary before the implant surgery. Bone grafting is a procedure to correct jaw bone loss to enable placement of the implant.
Sometimes, the dentist in Cypress, TX, may do an extraction before beginning the implant procedure. It is necessary if the patient has not suffered tooth loss, but the existing teeth are unhealthy beyond saving. Treatment will proceed according to the customized treatment plan.
- 2. Artificial root placement
The next stage of dental implants is placing the titanium implant into the jawbone. Your dentist will make an incision into the gums and jaw bone and then position the post in the bone. They will suture the gums to allow the implant to fuse with the jawbone and heal. It takes about 3-6months for the metal alloy to merge with the bone tissue properly. - 3. Dental crown placement
Lastly, the dental expert will evaluate your gums to ensure the post is sturdy enough to support an artificial tooth. Then they will place a connector on the implant, which is joined to a dental crown. You will need a few weeks to recover and for your gums to grow around the connector. Finally, the dentist will take an impression of the area to create a customized dental crown.
Once the gums have healed, and the crown is fabricated, the final step of the procedure occurs. The dental professional will fix the crown to the implant through the connector. Alternatively, the dentist may place a set of dentures on the implant to replace several missing teeth.
Contact us at Mirabella Smiles in Cypress, TX, for safe, effective, and natural-looking dental implants. Our team of dental experts will guide you through recovery to minimize the expected pain and discomfort.