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A dental single tooth implant Berkley MI is a replacement tooth root that stimulates jawbone activity and prevents bone deterioration after a tooth is lost or extracted. A crown is then placed on the implant to create a permanent tooth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement and have a higher success rate than traditional bridges or dentures. They also look more natural and help preserve bone structure in the jaw.
Dental implant treatment fills in gaps that could otherwise collect bacteria and food particles. This helps maintain a full set of teeth and prevents changes to speech patterns and chewing habits that can occur with missing or damaged teeth.
Unlike dentures, which can shift while you eat and speak, dental implants are securely anchored in the jaw bone. This stability can prevent changes to facial appearance caused by tooth loss, like a sunken or collapsed look.
Implants tend to cost more than other dental prostheses, but they can last a lifetime. In addition, they don’t require destroying healthy surrounding teeth as do traditional bridges. Some patients might qualify for a medical or dental insurance plan to help cover the cost of this innovative treatment. If you’re interested in learning more about how dental single tooth implant Berkley MI can benefit your oral health and beauty, book a consultation with Michigan Periodontics.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are a small metal anchor that is surgically placed into the jaw bone where a missing tooth root would normally sit. The implant replaces the root of the missing tooth and can support one or more artificial teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The implantation process usually takes one to two months. During treatment patients should expect some discomfort, swelling, and bleeding in the area. These side effects should subside after a few days and are manageable with pain medication or antibiotics if needed. Eating soft foods and following aftercare instructions will aid the healing process.
A typical dental implant procedure involves placing the implant in your jawbone and allowing it to fuse with the surrounding bone over the course of several weeks or months. Once healed, an abutment is attached to the implant that connects it to a replacement tooth, or crown.
With traditional dental implants, the entire process can take up to a year, but there are newer technologies that allow you to get the same result in just a few months. This means you can enjoy a full smile much sooner!
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Although dental single tooth implant Berkley MI may require more surgical procedures than alternatives such as a bridge, they have the benefit of being long-term solutions that do not necessitate grounding down of adjacent teeth. They also have a natural appearance and function that makes them almost indistinguishable from a real tooth.
The implant itself is made of titanium which fuses with the bone during healing to form a strong base for the crown, which replicates your other teeth. It is very unlikely to cause any allergic reactions as the titanium is biocompatible.
After the implant heals, your dentist will fit a crown to complete the procedure. It is possible that you will experience some post-operative pain and swelling, but this should be limited to a few days. Most patients find that any discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Occasionally, a dentist will recommend that a patient undergo a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and more natural-looking gum tissue around the area of the implant. This may add to the total cost of the procedure.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Implants can last a lifetime when properly maintained. A study that followed patients over 30 years showed that implants are as durable as natural teeth. However, like all dental restorations they are not indestructible and can suffer damage. A key to maintaining the longevity of your implant is oral hygiene, with consistent brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Other factors that affect longevity include dietary habits, smoking, and clenching or grinding your teeth at night (bruxism).
If you’re considering dental implants it is important to choose an experienced dentist. A reputable dentist will be able to provide you with detailed information about the procedure, including its expected results and any complications that may arise.
Look for a dentist that offers a guarantee on their implants. This will give you peace of mind that if something goes wrong, you will be covered. Ideally, your dentist will also have a track record of successful implant placements. An implant that fails is a serious problem and can double or triple the cost of the initial surgery due to rework.
What Are the Complications of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are considered one of the greatest advancements in dentistry. Their unique design and treatment process allows them to preserve jawbone, gum tissue and teeth while strengthening these structures. They are also an effective and durable solution to missing teeth. However, like all medical devices and procedures, implants are subject to complications. If not managed properly, they can lead to painful and costly health problems.
Infection is the most common problem associated with dental implants. It may occur as a fistula, abscess or peri-implant disease. These conditions can lead to bone loss, implant failure and spread of infection in other areas of the body.
Other implant complications include nerve damage, excess bleeding and failure to heal (osseointegration). Patients with systemic disease like diabetes or a history of bacterial mouth infections such as periodontitis are at higher risk for these complications.
Preventing complications requires adherence to post-op instructions, careful oral care and regular visits to your dentist. Some discomfort after the procedure is normal and can be relieved with acetaminophen or another over-the-counter pain reliever.
