Dental implants are a healthy and considerably better alternative to dentures, which are only a temporary solution to your missing teeth. Although this cosmetic procedure has been existing for 50 years now, it has now become popular in the last two decades.
The dentist will evaluate your jaw structure and bone strength to determine whether you are a good candidate for implants. If you have enough healthy bones to support surgical implants, there couldn’t be a better option than this original-looking, natural tooth replacement option. To know if you should get dental implants in Columbia SC, read this post till the end.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants refer to the titanium screw inserted into your jaw and designed to accommodate a dental crown and keep them intact. These dental implants (which the FDA approves) contain titanium or zirconia. A bone graft might be necessary before implant surgery for patients lacking enough bones to hold the screw.
Note: The surgery is also not advisable for children whose facial structure is still developing, diabetic patients, and smokers.
The best part about getting dental implants in Columbia SC is that they don’t require any maintenance. Just brushing and flossing will do. You can rest easy knowing implants won’t decay or form cavities, unlike your natural teeth.
How do doctors perform Dental Implant Surgery?
Doctors can sometimes place dental implants procedure immediately after extracting the decaying tooth. But, in most cases, the procedure may take six months or a year. The dentist won’t proceed to the next step until you have healed from the previous step. Here’s how it progresses.
Dental Exam: The first step is conducting a dental exam. The dentist may take an X-ray or order a 3D imaging, i.e., a CT scan, to get a clear picture of the strength of your jawbone to support implants.
Extraction: If your tooth is intact or suffers from damage to some degree, doctors can remove the tooth from an oral surgeon. Surgeons perform it in an outpatient setting, and any dental surgeon with proper certification can do it.
Bone Graft: For aged patients and others that don’t have enough bone strength to support the implant, the dentist will perform a bone graft. It’s a surgical procedure where the surgeon removes the bone from other body parts and implants it into the appropriate area.
Adding Implant: Once the bone graft heals, the next step is to insert the titanium screw. The surgeons drill the jawbone and the implant and fix it in place. This might also take some time to heal, after which your bone will start growing around the implant, and you can eat, brush, and perform regular activities normally. The doctors will insert the implant deep into the jawbone, just like your natural tooth. You can wear dentures temporarily to fill the gap between your teeth.
Abutment: In the next 2-3 months, the implant settles down, and the bone grows. At this stage, your dentist adds an abutment that keeps the implant in place. The gum closes and may take between 4 and 6 weeks to heal completely.
Placing a Crown: The final step is placing a crown that looks like the other teeth. Its custom-making ensures it fits your jaw and matches your teeth’ colour, texture, and size.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Dental implants can hurt you a little, but they only hurt as much as the root canal. Doctors will give you a sedative or local anaesthesia that numbs the target area. Once the anaesthesia wears, your mouth might feel sore for a few days. It’s advisable not to eat anything crunchy, chewy, or hard until the entire procedure is over.
The chances of complications are minimal when you get dental implants from a professional surgeon in Columbia SC. Still, it doesn’t totally eliminate the risk of complications, like infection around the surgical site, damage to the surrounding teeth or nerves, or implants getting into the sinus cavity if you are getting them on the upper jaw.
Taking care of your dental implants is like taking care of your regular teeth. You must brush and floss them daily and see a dentist every six months for a routine dental check up. The cleaning procedure might be different for those considering a full mouth reconstruction. Talk to your dental surgeon for the best advice for taking care of your implants.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of dental implants in Columbia SC might vary from one patient to another. It depends on the number of procedures needed and how many implants you get. For instance, you might be charged extra for bone graft and tooth extraction if these procedures are required. The surgery can cost between $3,000 and $4,500 per tooth. However, the whole mouth reconstruction can cost $60,000 and $90,000.
You can consult a dentist in west Columbia Sc, at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry to get a quote for a complete procedure and understand your risk.
