As we age, our teeth do tend to age alongside of us. There are a lot of options we have for dental care, but it can feel a bit overwhelming to try to understand all of them, even when we consult with our orthodontist. If you’re looking to get some details about dental implants, be sure to stick around.
I’ll be covering them today; with five interesting facts you may not have known about them! While this article is not intended to be medical advice, hopefully it still provides you with some valuable insights on the topic. I would recommend you speak to your provider before making any concrete decisions.
If You Know Crowns, You Know Implants
There are so many terms thrown around in the orthodontal industry that keeping track of them can be a bit of a challenge. You’ve probably heard of crowns and implants referred to separately. This is a bit misleading, actually, as the former are an integral part of the latter. What do I mean?
Well, when we receive one, there must be a cap that covers it. This is what gives it a naturalistic appearance. Otherwise, it might be quite obvious that you have had some dental work done. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but many people opt to make their replacement teeth still look like they belong in their mouth.
Crowns and Caps can be made of Many Materials
As you can probably guess from the title of this section, there are many types of caps that you can fit over your implant. The first is one you have probably heard of: all porcelain. The porcelain or ceramic material gives the most seamless illusion of being a real tooth, but there are some drawbacks as well.
There are also options that involve using some metal and then covering that with the porcelain. This creates a sturdier implant, though it can be a hazard to any natural teeth that are remaining due to the rough surface. Full metal crowns used to be popular, especially using gold, but they fell out of fashion in the recent decades due to new techniques emerging.
The least pricey option is all-resin, but it should be noted that they often are not as long-lasting as the other varieties. Often, they are used as a temporary set for same-day procedures while a more permanent set are being created. If you are still confused about any of them, do talk to your dentist!
Maintenance is Similar to Natural Teeth
I know what stops a lot of people from getting them is the fear of maintenance. After all, many of us have heard the stories about caring for dentures. It’s a bit of a painful process, to say the least, in how much you have to do.
Now, you do still have to take care of dental implants, but if you already had a routine for oral hygiene, you won’t have to change much! You can learn more on this page, https://www.nuviasmiles.com/blog/does-food-get-under-dental-implants, if you are curious to get further details!
So, that means that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. On top of that, you should definitely be flossing. While it might seem like an annoying chore, trust me when I say it’ll be worth it. Your mouth will thank you!
They Can Help with Many Kinds of Tooth Loss
There are quite a lot of misconceptions about who can receive dental implants. Many of us believe they can only be used for people who are aging, and that is why they have lost their teeth. This is not the case, though – in fact, missing teeth isn’t even the only reason to choose them! Many broken or damaged ones can also be replaced in this manner.
So, what are some examples? Well, tooth decay is what most people are aware of. This occurs when someone has not taken very good care of their oral hygiene, as just one circumstance. They are commonly referred to as cavities, but when they get more serious, it can result in the loss of the entire tooth. This happens when the enamel breaks down extensively.
Of course, that is not the only reason. Another is gum disease, commonly known as periodontitis. It is one of the biggest risks from not flossing regularly and can cause serious problems for your mouth. Trauma from an accident or other causes can also result in getting implants!
The Procedure isn’t as Scary as You Might Think!
While it can certainly sound intimidating to end up with a metal screw in your mouth, it really isn’t as frightening as it sounds. For one thing, you would most likely not be awake during the procedure itself. That already takes away a lot of the anxiety involved!
Additionally, there is a good amount of preparation and care taken both beforehand and during the recovery process. The screw is usually made of titanium, which is a safe material for inside the mouth. For extra safety, many orthodontists will actually take a CT scan of your mouth to ensure that they drill correctly and do not cause any damage.
The recovery time will obviously depend on what you had done. So, the more implants you receive, the longer it could be. The type of crown and abutment can also play a part in that. It is a deeply personal part of our oral health, so I can’t tell you for sure how it will go.
That being said, if you take good care of the new teeth and regularly check in with your provider, things will probably go well! If you’re ever experiencing strange or unusual pain or think there is an issue, be sure to talk to them about it.
You will probably want to be careful about what you eat, as well, at least at first. This can make a big difference in the longevity of them!
