Dental implants are the most reliable method of replacing missing teeth. If you have chosen implants to replace your missing teeth, you have just made one of the best decisions! Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, giving you a beautiful smile. At Pacific Modern Dentistry, we have an experienced team of experts committed to restoring your smile through dental implants. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we get about dental implants. What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a modern choice for replacing missing teeth. Implants replace natural tooth roots and provide the anchorage needed to stabilize your tooth. They are strong enough to provide a firm foundation for removable or permanent teeth replacement. Dental implants are unique because they look and feel like your natural teeth. Since they resemble your natural teeth, it is difficult for a person to notice you have them. Our oral surgeon will perform oral surgery to place the implants in your jaw. We ensure the implants are placed deep into the jawbone to prevent instability. By doing so, you can use them to bite or chew on hard food items without fear of breakage.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
While dental implants are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth and restoring your smile, not everyone can get them. Before we start the dental implant procedure, we must check to ensure that you meet all of the requirements.
Good Oral Health
Good oral health is mandatory when looking to get dental implants. If you have any underlying conditions like gum disease, we will treat them first before we consider placing the implants. We will also check whether you are vulnerable to oral ailments like tooth decay or gingivitis. These conditions must be fixed first because they increase the risk of implant failure. Our experts will use advanced technology to ensure all of these requirements are met.Good Overall Health
You must be in good overall health to be eligible for dental implants. There are many health problems that increase the risk of dental failure. They affect or prevent the bone structure from integrating with the dental implants, making them weaker. Such implants can easily come out when you bite on hard food surfaces. Lack of sufficient blood sugar is risky since it affects the implantation process. In fact, patients with conditions such as diabetes are mostly ineligible for implants. Patients undergoing radiation therapy and those using antidepressants are at a very high risk of implant failure. If you have any of these health problems, you may not be considered for a procedure.Adequate Bone Structure
We will use a CT scan to examine your bone mass. Significantly low bone mass increases the risk of implant failure and could make you ineligible. While dental implants can work with low bone mass, cases of too little to no bone mass are risky. Remember that the incoming dental implants will need support from the bone to make them reliable. Our team will evaluate your bone mass and decide whether a bone graft procedure is required. Contact us for a comprehensive evaluation that will help answer all of your questions.Smoking
Smoking can cause significant damage to your oral health as well as affect dental implant placement. This is because smoking affects the bone's healing ability and makes it hard to place implants. If you want to be considered for dental implants, you must stop smoking several weeks before the procedure. You should also avoid smoking several months after getting your implants. This gives them sufficient time to heal. You should also maintain high standards of oral hygiene to prevent damage. Brush and floss regularly to get rid of bacteria.Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many benefits of dental implants. Some of them include the following:
Great Stability
Unlike traditional teeth replacement options, dental implants are more stable and will last longer. This is because they are anchored directly into your jawbone and are as stable and strong as your natural teeth. You don't have to worry about eating hard foods as dental implants will remain in position. It won't feel like you lost your natural teeth!Avoid Bone Atrophy
One of the key health benefits of these dental implants is that they help prevent bone atrophy. They do so by providing your jaw with the stimulation required to keep it in position. Tooth loss causes bone shrinkage in your jaw; you will need a bone graft to revert this condition. Thankfully, after a bone graft, you can maintain a healthy jaw by having us place dental implants. We also encourage you to consider these oral appliances if your jawbone is out of shape. Dental implants will help keep it in shape and maintain strength.Easy to Place
It is easy to place dental implants. In fact, our experts will need only a few hours to restore your smile. We won't have to perform a lengthy gum graft procedure if you have sufficient bone mass. You will have your smile restored within a short period and no longer have gaps in your mouth. This goes a long way in saving you time and money. You don't have to worry about making several appointments with us to restore your smile, as it takes only a few steps to have dental implants placed in your mouth.Improved Aesthetics
Dental implants look just like your natural teeth. They are made of an acrylic material that looks just like natural teeth. Apart from enhancing your smile, these dental implants will also function like your natural teeth. We make dental implants customized to your specifications and ensure they fit as comfortably as possible. This will positively impact your smile and life.Schedule a Dental Implant Appointment with Us Today!
Are you looking to get dental implants? Our dentists at Pacific Modern Dentistry are ready to help you get dental implants that will make your smile glow. Call us at (206)284-4505 and schedule your dental implant appointment today.
