Dental implants are being discussed over the internet as the best replacement for lost teeth. But these implants are not absolute. There are many things people are not telling you about this procedure. Don't get us wrong; dental implants are the best choice for replacing damaged or fallen teeth, but there is much more depth regarding the procedure. Knowing more about it will help you make the right decision for your teeth. Make sure you do your due diligence and consult your dentist about the procedure.
The Hassles of Getting Dental Implants
Many online publishers are presenting dental implants as an end-all-be-all procedure for teeth replacement. Keep in mind that performing the procedure on your teeth at the dentist is hassle-free, but the healing process will require a lot of patients. The hassle increases with the severity of your case, what periodontal disease you have, and how many teeth you have lost. Even if the procedure is finished perfectly on your teeth, it is not a lifetime solution.
Some people reported that their implants lasted a long time, but that is only true for cases needing few implants. Even if an implant lasts for decades, that will only be true for the titanium base parts and not for the crown made of porcelain. Additionally, if your teeth and gums suffer from an infection, the dentist can not start the procedure unless the infection is cleaned. The condition of your jaw bone also needs to be accounted for before the procedure can be planned and executed.
In many severe cases, the procedure can not be performed because there is not enough bone left to hold the implant. This happens when an infection is left untreated for long periods. If the infection has deteriorated your jawbone, your dentist must treat the infection first. This could take from weeks to months. Once the infection is gone, you will need bone grafting. In this process, a bone fragment is taken from your leg, hip, or donor to increase the volume of your jawbone. Bone grafting takes an additional 4 to 6 months to heal.
When getting dental implants in Houston, the dentist will take up to an hour for each implant. But that would only be the initial fixture installation. Once the titanium fixtures are installed, it takes up to 6 to 8 months for the bone to regenerate around the fixture. The next step is to place the abutment. This is the part that holds the crown in its place. Once the abutments are installed, they take a few weeks to settle in place again. While you wait, your dentist will order your dental crowns, and they are custom-made to fit in your mouth. Once the crown is placed, you are good to go.
Conclusion
There are a lot of variables and steps to account for, but nobody tells you about that. Some of them are your age, oral health, how many implants you need, and the condition of your jawbone. Besides the precaution, there are a lot of risks like bone loss, damage to other teeth, and the procedure could fail. But if your condition is not extreme and you are willing to go through all the hassle, this procedure can be the right choice.