Factors to Consider When Qualifying for Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people talk about losing teeth and the possible treatments after the fact. In the past, conversations about tooth loss involved archaic technology like bridges and dentures, but today, our Honolulu dental office has a way to not only replace the lost surface of a tooth but also give a prosthetic root in the form of a dental implant. As more people are becoming aware of this revolutionary product, we get more questions every day about how it works, what is involved in getting a dental implant, and if the individual is a strong candidate for dental implants. The first thing to understand about a dental implant is that it replaces the lost root of a fallen tooth. To do this, the implant must be surgically placed into the jawbone by a skilled periodontist or oral surgeon, which means there is surgery involved. In order to get a dental implant, the patient's mouth needs to be healthy enough for the procedure. While it is not common, we do find cases where people are not able to get implants immediately, and some remedial steps must be taken to prepare them for the implants. People with uncontrolled diabetes or periodontal diseases, for example, are not able to get implants. Similarly, patients who may be undergoing radiation treatment for cancer or who have a heavy addiction to cigarettes or alcohol may be precluded, as well. The reasons these conditions may prevent you from getting dental implants is because the jaw needs to be able to fuse with the implant, and any condition that may restrict or stop that process from happening could be detrimental to the implant itself.
Dental implants, according to some studies, have a success rate hovering around 98 percent. Even the most conservative estimates place the success rate around 92 percent and 94 percent. This is not just luck, but due to the diligence we exercise each time a patient comes in looking for dental implants. The dental implant process starts with a comprehensive examination, which includes both x-rays and a CT scan. These dental imaging tools allow our Honolulu dentist office to access your jawbone, determine the level of density, and make a judgment as to whether it can sustain and support a dental implant. Once this is done, we can proceed in one of two directions.
For the patients who have sufficient bone density, we go to the implant phase in that very first appointment. This is known as an immediate implant placement since there is no wait time. For other patients, however, they may need an alveolar bone graft, which targets the area of the jawbone that supports the teeth. Often, an onlay graft is necessary to create a strong block of bone, into which we can then place the implant. This block allows the implant the stability and security it needs. Once the grafting is done, you will take around six months to allow it to fully heal before we start placing the dental implants into the newly grafted bone.
Missing teeth can significantly affect how you speak, eat, and feel about yourself. Fortunately, dental implants can help restore you and your mouth to a more natural look and function. Dentists use implants to replace one or more lost teeth. They also sometimes serve as foundations for bridges and dentures. Implants mainly permit you to…
Dental Implants are metal rods or screws (typically titanium) that are inserted into gum tissues as a general dentistry procedure. They are combined with restorations like crowns, dentures, and bridges to replace missing teeth.Implants help ward off the bone tissue loss that people with missing teeth can find themselves dealing with. The implant transfers bite…
Dental implant surgery can bring back your stunning smile. Tooth loss makes eating, speaking, and even smiling difficult. It affects a person’s self-esteem. Getting implants can make you feel good about yourself again. Here are the details on how a dental implant can help you smile confidently again.People who use removable restorations often complain about…
Dental implants are a popular choice for patients wanting to replace missing teeth. Formerly, partial dentures and dental bridges were the go-to treatments. However, implants have many advantages. They are more stable than removable dentures and typically last longer than bridges. Using this prosthesis, a dentist can replace a single missing tooth without disturbing any…
A cosmetic dentist can repair your cracked tooth. This dental damage can result from an injury or accident. Correcting the situation is possible with the right treatment. Here are the details on how your cosmetic dentist can treat your cracked tooth.These thin shells cover the front side of the teeth. The cosmetic dentist can use…
A cosmetic dentist can help improve all aspects of a smile's appearance, including alignment. They can offer a few treatments to straighten the teeth or make them appear straighter. If you are considering seeing a cosmetic dentist about your smile alignment, here is more about their services.Before discussing how a cosmetic dentist straightens teeth, it…