A dental implant consists of a small titanium screw anchored in your gum to replace the root portion of a missing or lost natural tooth. Implant-supported replacement teeth function, feel, and look just like natural teeth. Over time, dental implants bond with your bone and serve as an excellent anchor for replacement teeth. Once installed, teeth anchored with dental implants perform just like a natural tooth and provide a permanent fix for lost or missing teeth.
Below are some of the most common questions that patients have about dental implants.
Do dental implants work for everyone?
If you are healthy enough to withstand a tooth extraction, then you are healthy enough for a dental implant procedure. Statistics confirm that the success rate of dental implants is high.
With no loose parts to worry about, dental implants are stable and comfortable. They rarely require adjustments and work for the majority of people with lost or missing teeth.
Does a dental implant procedure take long?
With today’s cosmetic dental procedures, a dental implant can be completed in about an hour. Dental implants are minimally invasive procedures and do not require general anesthesia so there is no down time. With modern procedures, you can have your teeth replaced almost immediately after the dental implant is installed and will be able to eat shortly after the replacement. In the majority of cases, you will only need to have one appointment for the procedure itself.
Is a dental implant a painful procedure?
As with any surgery, you will most likely have some discomfort. Topical or local anesthesia is used during the procedure to eliminate any discomfort, and your dentist will prescribe a mild pain medication for any discomfort or pain afterwards. You may experience a small amount of bruising or swelling in your gums and soft tissue; however, this doesn’t typically limit your daily activities.
How much do dental implants cost?
Fees for dental implants vary from patient to patient. The determining factors for the cost of a dental implant procedure are the amount of support required for your replacement teeth, the area you live in, and the cost of any preliminary dental work you may need before having a dental implant surgery performed.
Contact a cosmetic dentist who specializes in dental implants for details about your particular implant needs.
Find an implant dentistry, reconstructive dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry specialist.
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