Dental Implants
Dentist Hillsboro, OR
When you lose teeth, the first step is to have them replaced as soon as possible and as completely as possible. That is where dental implants can come in handy. Dental implants are the only prosthetic teeth that act as much like your natural teeth as possible.
What Are Dental Implants?
Implanted teeth are a great way to replace teeth that you have lost because of trauma or disease. Each dental implant consists of three parts. You have a prosthetic tooth that is at your gumline. These prosthetic teeth are made from porcelain and can last a couple of decades of wear and tear before they need to be replaced. Your porcelain tooth is connected all the way to your jawbone through an abutment that connects it to the implant screw in the jawbone. The abutment is a connector made of a strong, light metal such as titanium. Finally, the implant screw attaches your prosthetic tooth directly to your jawbone. This implant screw gives your dental implant a great anchor to keep it strong and stable.
Dental implants allow our dentists to replace one tooth, a few teeth, or a lot of teeth. One of the reasons dental implants have been so successful is that they are versatile. They can replace any of the teeth you have lost.
Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants Over Other Tooth Replacement Options
There are several benefits of dental implants and full arch implants. First, dental implants are the only prosthetic replacements that can convince your body the tooth you lost is still there. Each tooth is surrounded by gum tissue and bone tissue as well. If your tooth is gone, your body will eventually begin to remove the surrounding bone tissue around the missing tooth to use elsewhere in your body. Gradually, this bone tissue loss can lead to a weaker jawbone, and eventually, the shape of your jaw or your face will change.
Also, having implanted teeth means that your remaining teeth will not shift to correct the missing tooth spaces in your bite. When you lose teeth, your remaining teeth may move to fill the space left. Over time, this can cause your teeth to become poorly spaced or crooked, which can cause your teeth to become weaker and can also cause problems with your jaw.
While dentures and bridges can also replace missing teeth, neither connects to the jawbone. Dentures can also cause issues for some people, such as sores on gums due to problems with the fit, thrush, and dentures that will not stay in place, either with suction or with dental adhesive.
The Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect
Our dental implant procedure takes place in stages. When you make the decision to get dental implants, your first step will be to call our office. We will be happy to set up an appointment with you for a consultation. During the consultation, our dentist will discuss with you whether you would be a good candidate. Some people with active gum disease, for example, cannot get implants because of the active infection along their gum line. Also, people who use tobacco are not good candidates for dental implants because tobacco slows down the healing time for any surgery or injury. People with chronic health conditions also need to check with our dentist to see if they can get implants.
Also, during the consultation, our dental practitioners will take photos, X-rays, and other materials that can be used to make sure your implanted teeth look and act as close to your natural teeth as possible. You will then want to make your appointment for the first stage of your implant procedure - the placing of your dental implant screws.
For the next step, our dentist will open your gum tissue to get to your jawbone with a small incision. Depending on what type and how many implants you are getting, you may need more than one incision. Our dentist will drill a hole directly into your jawbone and place a dental screw. Then, they will close your incision, and you need to give your jawbone a chance to heal. While it is healing, you will get new bone tissue in your jaw, which will then fuse around the implant screw, anchoring it into your jawbone. In general, your jawbone will need between three and six months to heal fully.
After your jawbone heals, our dentist will then make another tiny incision to attach your abutment, which is the connector between your prosthetic tooth and your dental screw. The abutment placement will take less time to heal than the implant screw did. Then, you will be ready to get your new prosthetic tooth.
Types of Dental Implants: Single, Multiple, and Full Arch
There are three basic types of implants to replace your teeth. A single-tooth implant is one prosthetic tooth that is attached through an abutment to your implant screw. Single-tooth implants can be used whether you are missing only one tooth or a tooth in various areas of your mouth. Usually, if you get a multiple-tooth implant, you will get an implanted bridge on either two or four screws, depending on how many teeth you need to replace. The procedure to implant teeth is the same for a multiple-tooth implant as it is for a single-tooth implant, except for the number of screws needed.
With a full arch replacement, our dentist will implant an implant denture on either two or four screws in one of your jaws. Just like single-tooth and multiple-tooth implants, a full arch replacement will take between three and six months for the implant screws in your jawbone to heal.
How to Care for Your Dental Implants: Tips and Best Practices
Caring for your dental implants is straightforward. You will brush and floss your teeth twice a day, every day. Some people opt to brush their teeth after each meal or snack they have so that food and plaque do not become trapped underneath their implant. When you brush your teeth, be sure to use a very soft toothbrush or a toothbrush specifically designed for implanted teeth. Your toothpaste should be non-abrasive because abrasive toothpaste can cause your prosthetic tooth to wear out more quickly. Be sure to floss underneath your implants, as food can become trapped there as well.
Not sure if you are a good fit for implants? We can help. Contact Cornell Dental at (971) 397-6196 today so we can schedule a consultation for you as soon as possible. |
