Missing, deformed, or severely damaged teeth can be a seed of frustration for many people. Not only can space in your smile impact the way you look and feel, but it can also impact your overall oral health.
While there are numerous options for dealing with missing teeth, one that has become most popular is the dental implant. A dental implant is a permanent solution for replacing teeth. Our Greenville dentist says that the process can be more complicated than standard dentures as it offers many benefits to dental patients.
What Are Dental Implants?
As its name suggests, a dental implant is an instrument attached to your jaw, underneath the gum line. The device finally fuses to your jaw that lets a dental professional join a metal post that acts as a “root” for an artificial tooth or a bridge of fake teeth.
Why Opt For Implants Over Regular Dentures?
People opt for implants over traditional dentures for both cosmetic and functionality reasons. Dental implants have many advantages & people like the look of implants and enjoy going about their day without having to stress about inserting, removing, or washing their dentures.
Another reason why many people prefer implants is that they’d like to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Traditional dentures can make it hard to eat some food, especially those that are hard or sticky.
There is also the comfort of caring for your implants. Unlike dentures that may need unique cleaning and care, regular brushing and flossing are enough to clean implants as it also saves your time.
Other reasons to opt for implants are that you no need to worry about dentures slipping while speaking. If you have gaps in your teeth, neighboring teeth might try to move into those gaps and an implant prevents this.
Different Types Of Dental Implants Materials
Titanium was the standard material to make dental implants for many decades & it still has promising results. The abutment (or post) that bears the new tooth in position- the material is also titanium. However, some dentists use ceramic abutments as an option.
Crowns for Incisors are often made from ceramic or porcelain, as these are the most natural-looking and can be colored to match the rest of your teeth.
In some cases, a dentist can suggest using metal crowns for molars that are not easily visible. Metals are generally more robust than ceramics or porcelain and may be a good option for those at risk of harming their implants.
Dental Implant Procedure
Receiving a dental implant or implants is a multi-step procedure that can take many months. Once you and your dental professional have confirmed that you are a good candidate, you will get called for having an implant installed in your mouth. Also, this can involve an extraction of the decayed tooth that will be replaced.
Once the implant is in position, your jaw and surrounding tissues will need some time to recover. It usually takes anywhere from 5 to 12 weeks.
Know About Dental Implant Surgery Recovery?
For dental implants in Greenville, usually, a local anesthetic is used. After the procedure, you may have to take an over-the-counter painkiller to help with any discomfort. Your dental professional will give you instructions for at-home aftercare.
What Kind of Aftercare is Required?
Once you get implants, you’ll have to care for them as you would for your natural teeth. It includes twice-daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups for cleaning and inspection.
Can Implants be Whitened?
No, they can’t. Your dentist will order artificial teeth the same color as your natural teeth to ensure consistency. If you are dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, talk about it with our dental implants professionals in Greenville for getting tooth whitening so that your smile will look the way you desire.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With routine care and dental checkups, an implant can last long- without the need of replacing it. It is one of the main reasons people opt for dental implants rather than bridges. Our experts of dental implants in Greenville say that crowns can last anywhere from 10-15 years, depending on the quality of your oral hygiene regimen.
Average Dental Implant Cost
A single tooth dental implant ranges from approximately $2,000 to $8,000 if the patient does not have dental insurance. As you can see, prices change as per your need, as will the scope offered by dental insurance and discount program providers.
Final Word
If you believe dental implants are a better option for you, book an appointment in our dental office located in Greenville. Our dentists can perform an examination and let you know about your possible choices. If you are concerned about costs, our professional office staff can help you increase your insurance coverage. Contact us & we will let you know about other alternatives, including financing.
