Replacing Your Missing Tooth With A Dental Implant
Losing one or more of your teeth can have a devastating impact on the health and quality of your smile. While the use of dental implants is an extremely effective solution for patients that have suffered this problem, it is often the case that these individuals may be making some incorrect assumptions about this replacement solution.
Assumption: You Can Have Your Dental Implant Procedure Completed In One Session
Most of the dental procedures that people will need to undergo may only require a single session to complete. However, dental implants are a more involved process. Depending on the patient, it could be possible for a person t potentially need several months or longer for this procedure to be completed. The implant that is placed in the mouth will have to fully bond to the bones in the jaw to be able to withstand the forces that will occur when biting down. Luckily, you will not have to go with a noticeable gap in your teeth during this time due to the option of using a temporary crown to fill this space.
Assumption: A Dental Implant Will Be A Noticeably Different Color From The Rest Of Your Teeth
A major benefit of a dental implant is that it will have a more natural appearance that can be easily blended into the patient's natural smile. As part of this process, the tooth will be colored so that it matches the surrounding teeth. This can be useful for older individuals as they may be more prone to having developed widespread staining. However, an experienced dental professional will be able to perfectly match the implant crown to the rest of the patient's smile.
Assumption: There Is No Rush To Start The Dental Implant Placement Procedure
After suffering tooth loss, there can be benefits to being prompt with having a replacement tooth placed. Over time, the teeth that are surrounding the gap will shift to fill it. Furthermore, the bone in the jaw below the missing tooth can also start to weaken. Promptly having an implant placed as soon as possible can minimize the chance of these issues developing. In some cases, the procedure may need to wait while the injury site heals or other treatments are administered. To stop the surrounding teeth from shifting into the space where the implant will go, there are spacers that can be used to support the neighboring teeth so that they do not move into this space.
For more information on a dental implant, contact a professional near you.