Dental Implant Surgery: Procedure, Benefits, and Risks
Dental Implants surgery is a procedure that is performed as a better alternative to bridges and dentures. It replaces the root of the tooth with metal screw-like posts and the damaged tooth with an artificial tooth that looks and functions like real teeth.
The metal screw-like posts are placed into the jaw bone where they act as roots of the teeth and the because the titanium fuses with the jaw bone just like metal plates are inserted to strengthen bones when there is bone damage anywhere in the body.
Your dentist might recommend implants if you have:
- One or more missing tooth
- A jawbone that has reached its full growth
- Have adequate bone to secure the implants
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Want to improve your speech
- Don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing
Procedure
During surgery, your surgeon cuts open your gum and expose the jaw bone. Holes are then drilled into your jaw bone and metal posts are placed into the bone. The posts are implanted deep into the bone.
A partial denture is placed on top of the implant which can be removed when you sleep or for cleaning.
Once the implant post is placed in your jawbone, the jaw bone is given enough time to heal, grow into and unite with the dental implant. This will allow for a solid base for your implant, just like the root for your natural tooth.
After the implant grows, you would need to have an abutment to place the crown. This might require another minor surgery. After the abutment is placed, you will need two to three weeks for your gums to heal. Once your gums heal, impressions of your teeth are made again, and a crown is made to place over the implant. Crown can’t be placed until your jawbone is strong enough to support your new tooth.
Risks
Implant surgery is a safe surgery that can be done in in-patient care. Just like any other surgery, risk of infection is always there for implants. There may also be some general discomforts like with any dental surgery. These could be:
- Selling of your gums and face
- Bruising of your skin and gums
- Pain at the implant site
- Minor bleeding
Your dentist might recommend pain medication or antibiotics after the implant surgery
After care
Care should be taken to eat soft foods after each stage of the surgery. Also, smoking should be avoided during the entire treatment phase as it may contribute to implant failure and complications.
General FAQs for Dental Implant Surgery
How much do dental implants cost?
Depending on the brand of implant used, complexity of treatment, location of the implant in the mouth, and the experience of the Dentist price vary between 4500 to 7000CAD. But there are a number of factors to be considered before determining the price
How long do dental implants last?
Implants usually last longer than a decade if proper care is taken to maintain them.
What is the best age for undergoing dental implant surgery?
There is usually no consideration for age provided you are in a reasonably healthy condition.
Are dental implant surgeries painful? Just like any surgery.
The dentist prescribes proper pain medications during and after surgery
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