Whenever you are considering a treatment or a procedure for a medical condition, including those related to your oral health, finding out as much as you possibly can about them has many advantages. This is certainly in the case of dental implants because most people assume that all they need to know about them is that they will replace their missing tooth or teeth.
Whilst that is certainly the most important reason why you would opt for dental implants, you should never base your decision solely on that fact alone. Instead you should try discovering as much as you can about them, so that before, during and after the procedure you are fully aware of and prepared for all eventualities.
We say that, not to alarm you, nor to imply that dental implants have any inherent danger, but nevertheless the more you know about a medical procedure the greater your peace of mind and the less chance there is of you being surprised when a specific facet of dental impacts comes to your attention.
To aid you along the path to knowing as much about dental implants as possible, we thought it would be useful if we pointed out some of the lesser known facts about dental implants from a dentist. They are lesser known, not because anyone has tried to hides these facts, but merely because they are not mentioned as often when dental implants are being discussed.
Dental Implant Procedures Have Multiple Stages
Unlike a one-off appointment for a filling, the process for dental implants is much more prolonged. Apart from the initial examination which may include x-rays, there are several stages which follow. These include fitting the main base for the dental implant and the abutment which connects the artificial tooth to its base. Time will be needed to allow the gum tissue to heal following the initial fitting of the base, which can mean moths between individual stages of the process.
Dental Implants Can Reduce The Chances Of Other Teeth Needing To Be Extracted
One huge benefit of dental implants is where one is fitted in a gap between two of your natural teeth, it can prevent either of those two teeth from needing to be extracted. When you have a gap, the teeth on either side take more punishment than before which often weakens them, causes them to loosen, and ultimately requires them to be extracted. A dental implant replacing the missing tooth and filling the gap eliminates that problem.
Dental Implants Can Strength Your Jawbone And Improve Its Health
Another benefit of the dental impacts and the procedure to fit is it can reverse weakening of your jawbone. This arises when a tooth falls out or is extracted and the bone tissue around where that tooth was becomes diminished in the sense that it is no longer the base for a tooth. With the dental implant base being fitted in that same area of your jawbone, the bone matter is stimulated once more and in turn becomes stronger and healthier.
Check-Ups And Follow Up Appointments May Be Needed For Several Months
Anyone who sets out on the journey towards having dental implants should understand it takes more time compared to other dental procedures. We have already mentioned the stages prior to your dental implants being fitted, but thereafter you also need to be patient. There will be a few days of recovery whilst any discomfort subsides and then several months of visits to your practitioner to check that you dental implants remain secure, and that there are no side effects.
You Should Care For Dental Implants As Much As You Do Your Natural Teeth
There can be a misconception that because dental implants are made from titanium that they are indestructible and require no care. that is not the case, and if you do not care for them properly you will not get the 20 or so years of use from them that you should. Caring for dental implants is almost identical as to how you would care for your natural teeth with daily brushing, avoiding extremely hard or sticky foodstuffs and regular check-ups.