Dental Implants Procedure and Lifespan
When you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, you face a number of different dental problems. There are the obvious aesthetic problems, for one. There are also issues with tooth alignment to consider, as well as bite strength, bone loss, gum recession, and so on. While removable dental restorations have been helpful to some patients, generally a better solution for dealing with the many problems associated with missing teeth is dental implants. Implant dentistry can restore the appearance of smiles and enhance the dental health as well.
When you come to the Brooklyn Heights cosmetic dentistry practice of Dr. Eugene D. Stanislaus, Dr. Lisa Reid, and Dr. Michael Ricciardi, they will be sure to assess your candidacy for dental implants and inform on the entire process from beginning to end. Every member of our team here at Brooklyn Heights Dental will be happy to address any of your concerns and answer all of your questions. We believe that one of the best ways to serve our patients is to make sure that they are well informed and thus happy and at ease.
Right now, we’d like to take a brief look at the process for placing dental implants. We can’t go into great detail about this process given all the concerns and questions that you may have, but this will give you a good idea about what to expect if you are interest in dental implants at Brooklyn Heights Dental.
The first step is really the consultation. During this consultation, the health of your jawbone and gum tissue will be assessed, as will other structures of your mouth and teeth to ensure that you are healthy and the right candidate for dental implants. If bone density or gum recession are issues, you may be able to undergo bone grafting or soft tissue augmentation to make you eligible for dental implants.
The second step of the dental implants process is the oral surgery to place the dental implants. This will involve incisions in the gums and the securing of the implants into the jawbone. Once this is complete, a temporary dental restoration will be provided for the dental implant to secure.
The third step is the healing process, which happens over the course of a few months. During this period, the dental implant fuses with the jawbone and gum tissue, integrating itself into the structures of your mouth. This is known as osseointegration, and it’s important that this occurs so that the dental implant or implants can properly hold a crown, bridge, or dentures in place.
The fourth and final step will involve the placement and fashioning of the permanent dental crown, dental bridge, or denture, which will be created at a dental lab to look as naturally as your natural teeth.
With proper care and good dental hygiene, your dental implants should last a long time. Current studies suggest a lifespan of up to 20 or 25 years for dental implants, though given the relative newness of the procedure, comprehensive data has yet to be compiled and measured for success rates after 20 years.
For more information about dental implants and other options for missing teeth, contact our Brooklyn Heights cosmetic and family dentistry practice today.
