Dental Implants
Dental implant procedures are an alternative to dentures and bridges which function as natural teeth. They use the jaw to stay in place, rather than being anchored by surrounding teeth. Dental implants can look quite natural and feel as natural teeth do.
Why are Dental Implants done?
Implants are often the best choice for missing teeth. They provide the most natural speech pattern and allow you to eat any foods which you could with real teeth. They don't have to be removed and cleaned, and won't pinch or hurt.
A good candidate will have to be quite healthy and have good dental health and hygiene. Many people who receive dental implants are people who have lost their teeth due to accident or injury. They may not be an option for everyone and dentists evaluate each case individually.
Dental Implant Procedure
There are two surgeries involved for insertion of dental implants. The first one consists of the implant portion being surgically placed into or on top of the jaw bone. These are left for up to 6 months to anchor to the bone. When a strong foundation has been formed, the new teeth will be attached to the dental implant.
Recovery Time
Dental implants can last for more than 25 years. Recovery after the first surgery, when the implant part is installed, is 2 to 6 months however the pain and discomfort caused by the procedure will subside much sooner, probably within a week. The second surgery in which the teeth are placed into the implants has a very short recovery time of just a few weeks.
Afterwards, you will have little to worry about and can treat the implants as though they were your natural teeth including maintaining proper hygiene and having regular check ups from the dentist.
