Answers to Our Top 5 FAQs About Dental Implants

People having missing teeth isn’t uncommon. In fact, almost half of the adult population in America is missing at least a tooth. Tooth loss occurs for several reasons, such as accidents, tooth decay, gum disease, and old age. However, old age is no longer the leading cause of tooth loss, but gum disease and tooth decay have taken the lead.

Irrespective of how you’ve lost your pearly whites, we offer dental implants in Phoenix to ensure that you replace the entire tooth.

Living without some teeth can affect your normal tooth function and dental aesthetics. Therefore, you will not be able to eat food as you are supposed to, your pronunciations will be a bit off, and your face may begin to look pruned at the jaw.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

You already know that tooth implants are referred to as tooth replacements. But did you know that what sets them apart is that they are root replacements? Yes, they are root replacements, and this feature alone sets them in a class of their own above the other replacements.

Tooth implants are fashioned from titanium, and they are nearly the same size as your tooth roots. The tooth implant looks like a screw, which our dentist surgically inserts into your jawbone.

Your jawbone will be given some months to heal. During this time, the jawbone starts growing around the implant to fuse with it. Once the tooth implant is in place, you will have a new and permanent root. Yes, the implant will be a part of your jaw.

So, when the titanium rod successfully fuses to your jawbone, it operates in the same capacity as your tooth root. But this is a part of the dental implant procedure. For implants to replace the entire tooth, they need to have three distinct components:

• The dental implant. The tooth implant is the screw-like titanium rod that our dentist surgically inserts into the jawbone to replace the roots
• The abutment. The implant needs a connector to link it with the prosthetic tooth. The abutment acts as the connector.
• The tooth replacement. The dental implant cannot remain bear, so the tooth replacement caps the tooth implant.

Once the implant is correctly placed, you will feel as though you have never lost the tooth.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Certain things might put the fear of God in people, and one of them is thinking of a titanium rod being drilled into your jawbone. Your mind to wander and take you to dark places! However, this isn’t the case.

Dental implant procedures are not what they were when implants were invented in the sixties. Sedatives and anesthetics and their mode of administration have improved so much throughout the years. The implant surgery will not commence until our dentist administers anesthesia to ensure that the area is numb.

So be at ease; the whole time our dentist is working on your jaw, you will not feel pain. But, pain starts to kick in after the procedure when the anesthesia wears off. That’s why our dentist will prescribe painkillers.

Who Should Get Dental Implants?

Virtually anyone can get tooth implants, so long as you are fit to undergo any minor dental surgery and you wish to replace missing teeth. But it is not that simple. Our dentist needs to consider some key factors such as:

• Bone Health

Since your tooth implants are inserted into your jawbone, you need to have a healthy jawbone. The bone depth is also crucial because the implant needs enough support to be stable.

• Gum Health

Unhealthy gums will not heal as fast as healthy gums, meaning that you might be susceptible to gum infection shortly after the implant surgery.

• Overall Health

Some conditions may hinder or affect the body’s healing mechanism. Therefore, you will have to discuss with our dentist your overall health, especially if you have diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

Dental implants in Phoenix come with several benefits, such as:

• Restoring tooth function. Implants restore normal tooth functions such as chewing and proper pronunciation
• Preventing bone loss. Your jawbone begins to deteriorate when you miss a tooth, so when implants are inserted in the jawbone, they prevent bone loss
• Durability. Implants can last several decades, even a lifetime, if they are properly cared for
• Stability. Tooth implants are anchored in the jawbone, so they are very stable
• Improve dental aesthetics. Missing teeth will mar your smile; that’s why dental implants are among the services we offer in cosmetic dentistry to help improve your dental aesthetics

What Is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?

Unlike the other options, such are dentures or bridges, tooth implants are permanent and can last your lifetime. Since the tooth implant is fused to the jawbone, the success rate is quite high and stands at 98%.

We Are Here for You

Implants are considered to be the perfect solution for replacing missing pearly whites. So, when you are ready to restore your smile, contact us at our dental office in Phoenix, Arizona Family Dentistry, to schedule an appointment.