Have you wondered how a missing tooth can impact your oral health? Well, it can be awfully unsightly in addition to other oral health problems that can precede tooth loss. 

Dental specialists and their teams at family dental care in Summit, IL, excel in offering state-of-the-art dental implants. These are sought-out permanent solutions to missing teeth, which revitalize your oral health and smile. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants or fixtures are advanced dental restorations that mimic your natural tooth root. Made up of titanium alloy, these screw-like devices, also known as posts, are inserted into your jaw permanently. Since the alloy is biocompatible, it fuses with the jawbone just like any tissue in your body through a process called osseointegration. 

Dental implants form a strong base or foundation on which dental crowns are fabricated and fixed. 

Who is an ideal candidate for dental implants?

Below is a complete list of situations in which you may be a good candidate for a dental implant:

  • You have multiple missing teeth
  • Your jawbone is fully developed
  • You have sufficient bone thickness to fuse with the implant 
  • You are free from medical conditions that can impair your healing process 
  • You have a generally good oral health
  • You are not willing to opt for dentures 
  • Your dentures are affecting your speech
  • You are willing to commit several months for the entire process 
  • You do not smoke or consume any type of tobacco 

Are dental implants painful?

Dental implants involve inserting screw-like posts inside the bone, which can fuse over a period of time. This is typically a less painful procedure since it is performed under local anesthesia that numbs the area around the implant insertion. 

Post-procedure pain and discomfort, if present, are mild and temporary and can be easily managed through prescription painkillers. 

What is the procedure involved in a dental implant?

Here is a step-by-step guide through the whole implant process:

  • Initial consultation
    • This involves evaluation of the missing space and recording medical history
    • Full mouth X-rays are taken to evaluate the thickness and density of the underlying jawbone 
  • Bone grafting 
    • Your dentist may recommend bone grafts, especially for insufficient bone thickness 
    • It may take 3 to 4 months after the graft before the jaw is healed and ready for implant insertion
  • Dental implant placement
    • A titanium screw is inserted into the jawbone
    • After this, your dentist may give it time for 4 to 5 months for the implant to fuse with the bone

Once the implant and the bone fuse together, oral impressions will be recorded to fabricate a porcelain crown.