The dental implants in Pleasantville are oral devices that are surgically implanted or fixed into your jaw. These mimic your tooth roots that provide anchorage, and stability for the replacement tooth. These are most often made up of titanium alloys that readily fuse with your jawbone. This article will explore everything about dental implants, from parts, types, and procedures, to aftercare. So read on!
What are the parts of a dental implant?
Dental implants consist of three main parts:
- Implant body (fixture): The titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone.
- Abutment (connector): The piece that connects the implant body to the artificial tooth.
- Crown (prosthesis): The artificial tooth that is attached to the abutment.
What are the types of dental implants?
There are several types of dental implants, including:
- Root form implants: The most common type, shaped like a natural tooth root.
- Plate form implants: Used for narrower jawbones, shaped like a flat plate.
- Subperiosteal implants: Placed on top of the jawbone, under the gum tissue.
- Transosteal implants: Placed through the jawbone and gum tissue.
- Mini implants: Smaller than traditional implants, used for smaller teeth or limited space.
- All-on-4 implants: Used for full arch restorations, four implants support a full arch of teeth.
- All-on-6 implants: Used for full arch restorations, six implants support a full arch of teeth.
Additionally, there are different implant surfaces, such as:
- Smooth surface: A machined surface, smooth and flat.
- Textured surface: A roughened surface, promoting bone integration.
- NanoSurface: A surface with nanoscale topography, enhancing bone integration.
These variations in design and surface texture allow dental implants to be tailored to individual needs and optimize their performance.
What is the procedure involved in implant placement?
Your dentist will evaluate your mouth to check for the number of missing teeth and the health of your jawbone. Once you are suitable for dental implants, the following procedure is adopted.
First visit
- You will be given local anesthesia, and your dentist will drill holes into your jawbone to insert the implant posts.
- The number of implants depends on how many teeth you are missing and the type of restorations (crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures).
- You will be sent home for healing while the implant post-fuses with your jawbone (osseointegration).
Second visit
- When you return to your dentist, your implants will be evaluated through a dental X-ray.
- Your dentist will record your full mouth impression and send it to the laboratory for fabrication of your custom-made implant restoration.
Third visit
- The fabricated restoration (crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures) will be placed through the implant abutment (the part that connects the implant post to the restoration).
- Your dentist will check your bite and provide recovery instructions.
What does the aftercare post-implant placement involve?
Aftercare for dental implants involves several steps to ensure proper healing, prevent complications, and maintain the health of the implant and surrounding tissues. Here are some of the key aftercare instructions:
- Pain management: Follow the dentist’s instructions for pain relief medication.
- Swelling and bruising: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and bruising.
- Diet: Stick to a soft food diet for 1-2 weeks, avoiding hot, spicy, or hard foods.
- Hygiene: Brush the implant gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild toothpaste.
- Antibiotics: Take prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Follow-up appointments: Attend scheduled follow-up appointments for monitoring and suture removal.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco products: Smoking can compromise healing and implant success.
- Avoid alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Mouthwash: Use mild mouthwash, avoiding harsh or alcohol-based products.
- Monitor for complications: Watch for signs of infection, nerve damage, or implant failure, and report any concerns to the dentist.
- Suture removal: Return to the dentist for suture removal 7-10 days after surgery.
- Implant integration: Allow 3-6 months for the implant to integrate with the jawbone.
By following these aftercare instructions, patients can ensure a smooth recovery, optimal healing, and long-term success of their dental implants.
