Dental Implants

Have you been thinking about getting dental implants in New Britain, PA? If so, you probably want to learn more about them first. So let’s talk about what dental implants are, what dental implants are used for, and the different types of dental implants available. Then we’ll go over some common questions people have about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are made with small titanium posts that are used as substitutes for your tooth’s roots. A connector, sometimes called an abutment, is put on or built into the top of a dental crown, bridge, or denture that is then attached to the titanium post that was surgically implanted into your jaw.

What Are Dental Implants Used For?

Dental implants are used to surgically implant an orthodontic prosthesis into your jaw to restore your ability to chew or to improve your appearance. Dental implants are orthodontic devices that provide support for artificial teeth such as crowns, dentures, or bridges. A dental implant is used to replace any of your missing teeth or a full set of teeth.

What Are the Three Types of Dental Implants?

There are three types of dental implants from which you can choose.

• Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most commonly used dental implants. However, they require that you have a healthy jawbone for the titanium posts to fuse to. These implants are posts that are shaped like screws, and they are inserted into the jaw where your false tooth/teeth will be placed.

• Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are an alternative to endosteal implants. These implants are not inserted into your jawbone. Instead, a metal frame is placed under your gum that has a post attached to it. That means your implant will sit on top of the bone; however, it still rests under your gum.

• Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants are not as common as the other types of implants because it’s an extremely complicated procedure. These are only used when you don’t have enough jawbone for any of the other types of dental implants. A zygomatic implant is inserted in your cheekbone instead of your jawbone.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are considered a permanent tooth replacement option. This is because your dental implants are a replacement for your tooth’s root. That means if you take care of your dental implants, they should last for the rest of your life. However, the crown or implant-supported denture part of the artificial tooth will generally have to be replaced somewhere between 10-15 years or so.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

A dental implant involves inserting an artificial tooth root into your jawbone. Therefore, you will probably experience at least some pain because the surgery involves trauma to your jaw and gums.

The surgery itself won’t cause you any pain because your dentist will give you a local anesthesia to numb your mouth beforehand. However, after the anesthesia wears off, most people feel some level of pain. Your dentist in New Britain, PA, will provide you with pain medication to help manage any discomfort you might experience.

For some people, the pain is so minor that over-the-counter medications will handle the discomfort. The pain usually only lasts for about 10 days or so. And the amount of pain you experience will depend on how many implants you have placed.

Who Should Not Get Dental Implants?

If you smoke, use a pipe, or chew tobacco, you would not be a good candidate for dental implants. This is because tobacco products have chemicals that prevent your body from providing enough blood supply to your jaw.

Other groups that are not good candidates for dental implants include young children, teenagers, the elderly over the age of 85, and anyone who doesn’t take care of their teeth.