How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Pontotoc, MS
 Here at South Main Dental in Pontotoc, MS, we offer a variety of dental implant options, no matter if you’ve lost one, several, or all of your teeth. Regain your smile once again with full function of your mouth with dental implants that look as natural as your own teeth.
What Is A Dental Implant?
Dental implants are restorative procedures that provide replacements for missing teeth. Simply, a dental implant mimics a tooth root and is embedded into the jawbone. A crown, which serves as the replacement tooth, is placed on top to complete the restoration which looks and functions like a natural tooth.
The Dental Implant Process
With a titanium post, the dental implant is surgically placed in the jawbone so that it can fuse with the natural bone. This process is known as osseointegration. Once the process has completed, the dental implant will serve as a permanent root replacement for the lost tooth. Dental implants can replace just one tooth or can be used to replace several.
The Procedure For Dental Implants
While receiving dental implants is a surgical procedure, it is minimally invasive and one that most patients tolerate really well. The comfort of the patient is always prioritized, with the right sedation options used to best meet the comfort needs of each patient.
Once the patient is comfortable, the implants will be surgically placed into the jaw. A small incision on the gum will be made to access the bone, from here a specialized drill will be used to create small holes in the jawbone. The implants will be placed with precision into these small holes.
Postoperative Care
It is important to follow the care instructions you are given on the day of your dental implant procedure. You may feel some discomfort, which can be controlled with pain relievers as directed by our surgeon. Stick to soft foods that do not require much chewing, so that healing can continue without disruption.
Are Dental Implants Easy to Care For?
Regular maintenance and check-ups with the dentist are essential. It is crucial that you have a good oral hygiene routine as gum disease can still be a problem around your dental implants if you do not keep your mouth clean. Brushing the gums and soft tissues of your mouth are essential, particularly every morning and evening. You will need to brush and floss your teeth regularly, as you always have, ensuring you remove any debris or food.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth restoration that can last a lifetime. With proper care, they can last up to 25 years. The dental crown that is attached to your dental implant will last approximately 15 to 20 years and can be replaced as needed. Dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%!
Dental Implant Technology
Dental implant technology helps us to deliver precision surgery at South Main Dental to ensure our patients have the best outcomes.
Science and medicine are evolving rapidly and as more technology becomes available, we can provide extremely accurate treatments and diagnoses to make dental implants one of the safest and most predictable dental treatments around. Some of the technologies that have made a huge difference in modern dentistry include:
Digital Panoramic X-Ray
Panoramic x-rays allow the dentist to see a two-dimensional view of the upper and lower jaw from ear-to-ear. They are commonly used to check the position of wisdom teeth and to determine whether the position of dental implants will affect the mandibular nerve in the lower lip. Digital x-rays are also much safer for patients, using only a fraction of the radiation dose of traditional x-rays.
3D Cone Beam
Unlike traditional x-rays, cone beam CT scans show both bones and soft tissues, and they can accurately measure bone thickness and depth which panoramic digital x-rays cannot. They are used to determine whether a patient is suitable for dental implants and also during implant surgery as a guide to place the implants in the optimal position.
CAD/CAM
CAD/CAM is computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture that uses computers to design and manufacture prosthodontics, such as crowns and veneers, onsite in a dental office. The technology has been around for over 30 years now, and in comparison, to sending it out to an external laboratory where restorations are made by hand, it is considerably quicker.
The process begins in the dental chair where photos and scans of the patient's mouth are shown on a computer screen. The restoration is designed on the screen, so the patient can see how it looks before the manufacturing process begins. Adjustments to size and color are made before the final designs are sent to an onsite milling machine where the restoration is created from a block of ceramic, while the patient waits.
Guided Implant Tech
Guided implant tech uses the technologies already mentioned above to place dental implants with accuracy and precision. Using computers and digital scans, dental implants are placed in the optimal position, leaving nothing to chance.
Micro Dentistry
Micro dentistry allows dentists to see areas of the mouth in greater detail. Thus, problems that may not be noticeable to the naked eye are identified when magnified many times. This means appropriate treatments are started earlier and diseases can be easier to treat before they progress.
Soft Tissue Laser
Soft tissue lasers can take the place of the surgeon’s blade in some procedures, particularly the gums. The advantage of using lasers is that there is less bleeding because the heat from the laser automatically cauterizes, which is also a benefit in keeping out infection. The laser can be used to uncover dental implants during the final phase of treatment when the crown is attached.
Contact Us to Learn More About Dental Implants
Schedule an appointment with us at South Main Dental to find out more about dental implants and how they can benefit you. Call us at 662-489-7768. |
