Dental implants have rapidly grown to be one of the most highly sought-after procedures for people with problems with missing teeth. Whether you are missing a single tooth, a few teeth, or all of your teeth, dental implants can be a viable solution for a lot of patients. At Cros Dental, we offer dental implants in Rancho Mirage, CA, so we know just how much the procedure can mean to a patient.
What Is a Dental Implant?
In the most basic terms, a dental implant is an implant that is installed in the jaw bone. Once healed, the implant becomes a permanent support structure for a crown, so the crown serves as a direct and long-term replacement for a missing tooth. Implants can be made of different materials and the type of crown placed on the implant can vary as well.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you have mixing teeth or gaps in your smile, but there are general guidelines as well regarding who makes the best candidate for the procedure:
- You have a generally healthy mouth
- You do not have a high risk of infection
- You practice good oral hygiene habits
- You do not have medical issues that could cause issues
It is always best to discuss your unique situation with the cosmetic dentist to find out if you could be a good candidate because every patient is different.
Dental Implant Techniques
The technique that is typically used to install dental implants is the endosteal technique. This technique involves securing the base of the implant by installing it into the jawbone, essentially replacing the missing root.A method that is rarely used is the subperiosteal technique. This technique involves placing metal framework beneath the gingival tissue and on top of the jaw bone. This method is generally used for individuals who have difficulty wearing dentures as well as for those who do not have enough bone height to secure a dental implant.
What Makes Up a Dental Implant?
The type of implant that is used most often consists of a titanium. Each of these titanium screws are used to secure a single crown or to assist with securing a bridge, which is a prosthesis that consists of multiple crowns (up to an entire arch). The number of implants required is determined by the number of teeth that need to be replaced. For example, if you need a full arch of teeth replaced (upper or lower), your Cros Dental dentist will most likely use the All-on-4 or All-on-6 method.
Using these methods, your dentist can use just four or six implants to secure an entire arch of teeth.If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, your overall physical health is very important, however, so is your oral health. In fact, your oral health can directly affect how successful your dental implant procedure will be.If you have already implemented an acceptable daily dental hygiene regimen, you probably have a healthy mouth. Nonetheless, if you have not, use the recommendations below to create one.
Your Daily Oral Health Regimen Should Include:
Brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Be sure to choose products that have the American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) Seal of Approval. To thoroughly clean your teeth and gingival tissue (aka gum tissue), each of these brushing sessions needs to last for two minutes. You should also use ADA-approved dental floss and mouthwash at some point throughout the day.
You Should Floss At Least Once a Day
After your dental implants are placed, flossing is vital. If you have an entire arch of teeth replaced, unless you choose implant-supported removable dentures, you will need to gently floss around your dental implants by threading floss in between your dental prosthesis and gingival tissue.
Keep Up with Your Bi-Annual Cleanings and Exams
Be sure to schedule your biannual dental cleanings and exams. Even if dental implants are the only teeth you have, it is vital that you keep up with your biannual cleanings and checkups. It is during these exams that your dentist can monitor the health of the bone and tissue surrounding your implants. During this exam, he or she also makes sure that you do not have a disease referred to as peri-implantitis. This disease causes inflammation around the dental implants, destroying the alveolar bone, which is the bone that secures the dental implant.
Before deciding to have any procedure, you need to consider the pros and cons, including the procedure’s success rate. The good news is that implants have a high success rate (up to 98 percent), therefore, as long as you start off on the right foot with a healthy a mouth, a successful dental implant result is likely.
Let’s Talk About Restoring Your Smile with Dental Implants in Rancho Mirage, CA
With so many advancements in dental technology, there is no reason you should ever be left afraid to smile at the world around you. If you would like to know more about dental implants, reach out to us at Cros Dental in Rancho Mirage, CA to schedule an appointment.
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