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In adulthood, the next thing to do after teeth loss is to find a suitable replacement for the missing teeth, especially when the gap left is in a conspicuous area. Of course, this is because we lost the ability to grow teeth. There are many options available to people who want to fill this gap at a dentist near you. However, the best of them all is dental implants. You can always get one done for you by a dentist in Surrey, Newton. In this article, we will see how they work.

A dental implant is a surgical treatment in which a tooth root is replaced by metal, screw-like posts that provide the base for mounting artificial ones. After surgery, the bone heals around a dental implant making it quite solid. This way, the titanium in the implant fuses with the jawbone. Bone healing takes time and this means that the process can take many months. But, you are sure to end up with a wonderful and long-lasting replacement for lost teeth after. This is because implants will not slip, make any noise or cause bone damage. Also, they do not decay. A dentist in Surrey will consider some factors before performing full dental implant surgery. These include the condition of your jawbone and the kind of implant you will be getting. 

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Getting a dental implant is not for everyone. A child needs no implant to replace temporary teeth that have been shed. Moreover, their jawbones are still growing and dentists don’t want to interfere with that. An adult that smokes tobacco isn’t the right candidate for an implant. To wear an implant, you need to wait through months of trips to the dental clinic. It is not a one-day thing. Generally, an implant is right for you if you have missing teeth and adequate jawbone to support the implant. The jawbone must have matured fully. You need to have good oral health too with no conditions that affect bone healing. 

What Is The Procedure Like?

Many specialists are involved in dental implant surgeries. They include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, and sometimes ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists. The surgery will be done in phases with gaps in between to allow for healing. Before surgery, your dentist may take dental X-rays and 3D images of your teeth and jaw. A thorough review of your medical history will be taken too. 

If the tooth to be replaced is still in place, the process starts with removing it. The next stage is jawbone grafting. However, not everyone needs to undergo this process. Bone grafting is done when the jawbone is not strong enough to support an implant. When we chew, we exert a lot of pressure on our jawbone. A weak jawbone will likely translate to a failed dental implant surgery. The graft can be taken from other bones in one’s body or a synthetic graft is used.

After bone grafting, the dental implant is placed. An oral surgeon cuts into the gum to expose the bone and drill holes where the dental implant metal post will be placed. This has to be placed deep for good support. After this, bone healing around the implant starts. This ensures a solid base for the implant. After several months, the implant is now ready for an abutment. The abutment is attached to the dental implant after the oral surgeon cuts into the gum. The gums need to heal for about two weeks before the artificial tooth will be finally attached. You can opt for a fixed or removable artificial tooth or even a combination of both.

There are some risks attached to the process. However, these are rare and very treatable. They include infection at the site of the implant, injury or damage to surrounding structures, nerve damage, and sinus problems.

How To Maintain A Dental Implant

You’re required to practice good oral hygiene. For this purpose, you will need interdental brushes that can slide in between teeth to clean around. Your dentist will also schedule regular checkups at the clinic that you should always attend. Do not chew hard items like ice or hard candy. Tooth-staining tobacco and caffeine products should be avoided too.