Years ago, if you needed to replace a lost tooth, you might’ve been up the proverbial creek. IF an adult with such a problem visited an orthodontist, the orthodontist might rectify the absent teeth with dentures, partials, or perhaps bridges. At the time, those were the only options. Thankfully, modern technological achievements have paved the way for more cutting-edge dental implants. Interventions such as these can give you back the smile you deserve. The Midtown and East Memphis teams at Scott Edwards Dental want to supply you with everything you need to know about dental implants.
Could your grin use some work? After a consult and exam, either Dr. Edwards or Dr. Prince will decide the best course of treatment for you. That’s the part to keep in mind – treatment for you. No two sets of teeth are exactly the same. Therefore, no two treatment plans will be the same. Continue reading to find out more about Scott Edwards Dental’s dental implant options.
Exploring Dental Implants
Dental implants replace missing or lost teeth. Whether you have just one missing tooth or several, dental implants can help. If you have dentures and are unhappy with their performance, you might also be a candidate for dental implants. Sometimes the doctors might use implants to supplant whole lower and upper arches. According to the FDA, acceptable materials for manufacturing dental implants are titanium and zirconium oxide, gold alloys, cobalt-based alloys, titanium alloys, or ceramic materials.
Should the doctors determine that you need dental implants, they will give you a referral for an oral surgeon. The surgeon will deposit a small screw where your tooth used to be. It will take your gums, jaw, and surrounding teeth some time to acclimate to the implant. Eventually, the area around the implant will adjust to its presence. When you’re all healed up, you’ll come back into our office.
Then, one of the doctors will affix an “abutment” (yes, you read that right) to your implant. The abutment connects to the screw placed in the socket of your missing tooth. Next, the doctors will need an impression of your teeth. This will help them select the correct crown for you. The crown, or dental cap, sits on top of the abutment and is shaped like a real tooth. Your crown will enhance your smile, making it look as natural as ever.
Why Should You Bother With An Implant
Perhaps you’re curious about why a person would bother with a dental implant. If they’re not in any pain and can go about their daily life as normal, why would they consider an implant? In this case, dentistry is often like ordinary life. Just because something isn’t a problem today, doesn’t mean it won’t be a problem tomorrow. Furthermore, today’s insignificant molehill could become tomorrow’s mountain. A missing tooth can cause other dental problems down the road. To compensate for the loss of a tooth, your other teeth might crowd together.
After that, your upper and lower teeth might be out of alignment. Your upper teeth should naturally overlap your lower teeth a little. When your mouth is closed, this is normal. But consider that your upper teeth have crowded, due to a missing tooth. Now, you can’t close your mouth into its neutral position. Over time, this uncomfortable position can turn painful. If it goes untreated for too long, you might become susceptible to bone loss. So having a dental implant doesn’t just remedy the one missing tooth. It contributes to the overall health of your body.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
After getting an implant, you might notice some agitation and inflammation. This is normal. Get an ice pace (or borrow one) can help cut down on swelling in your gums. Dr. Edwards or Dr. Prince recommend eating soft foods that are easy to chew. Eating hard or crunchy foods might aggravate your implant (not to mention how painful that would be!). Complete recovery, eating without any pain, typically takes a few weeks.
How To Take Care of Your Implants
Treat an implant just like you would any other tooth. You need to brush at least twice a day right? Go ahead. And include your implant in your brushing habits. Brush a minimum of two times per day. Each brushing should last about two minutes. Also, remember to floss and use mouthwash. Your teeth do a lot for you. And so does an implant. It’s important to treat our teeth well by cleaning them regularly.
How Long Will My Implant Last
Implants are designed for the long haul. It’s not uncommon for them to last for years. Granted, their longevity depends on a few variables. Your age, overall oral health, diet, and dental hygiene can all impact how long your implant will last. Relative to other orthodontic interventions, dental implants last a very long time. To ensure that they perform at their best, keep regular appointments at Scott Edwards Dental in East Memphis or Midtown.
Get Dental Implants at Scott Edwards Dental
Dental implants offer solutions previously unavailable in the field of dentistry. Now that you’ve explored implants at a glance, you’re ready to begin. Scott Edwards Dental has two wonderful locations, East Memphis and Midtown, to meet your family’s needs. Go here to request an appointment.