Tooth loss hurts personal appearance, self-image, remaining teeth and overall health. Today’s superior tooth replacement is the dental implant in West Palm Beach. Dr. Nirav Patel places many of these prosthetics, giving patients beautiful, fully functional smiles. Here are answers to questions people often ask about dental implants during their complimentary consultations at Smile Solutions Dentistry.
What People are Asking about Dental Implants
- What are dental implants? Dental implants are artificial teeth, surgically placed directly into the jaw bone. Composed of a titanium metal screw (root), an extension post or abutment and a customized porcelain crown, an implant looks, feels and acts like a real tooth.
- How long does the surgery take? Do implants hurt? Skilled dentist in West Palm Beach, Dr. Nirav Patel, places a dental implant during a simple oral surgery in his state of the art office. He incises the gums, inserts the titanium screw into the bone and closes the site. The surgery, including local anesthesia or sedation, takes about an hour. Any post-op discomfort is handled easily with over the counter analgesics. After some healing time (several weeks), the dentist attaches an abutment and customized crown to finish the artificial tooth.
- Are dental implants right for me? Older teens and adults who have good overall health and oral health may qualify. The patient’s jaw bone must be sufficiently dense and strong. Pregnant women and lactating women should postpone dental implants.
- Why is a dental implant so stable? A dental implant is stable because human bone has a natural affinity for titanium metal. When the implant is inserted, the jaw begins bonding with it. Dentists call the process osseointegration. Over time, the jawbone strengthens. This is contrary to what happens after tooth loss and placement of a traditional bridge or denture which simply rest on top of the gums.
- How successful are dental implants? Most statistics show success rates of 95 to 98 percent. Though rare, failure may result from insufficient bone, poor implant placement or infection. If problems do occur–say, a patient loses an abutment–call Dr. Patel right away for advice or a same-day appointment as needed.
- How do patients care for implants? They brush twice a day and floss daily. While dental implants don’t decay, they can develop an infection similar to gum disease. It’s called peri-implantitis. Smokers or individuals who neglect brushing, flossing and getting routine oral exams and cleanings can get peri-implantitis. It destroys the gum tissue and bone and can require implant removal.
- If someone is missing several teeth, may he or she get dental implants? If his or her oral health is good and the bone is dense, implants can work. In fact, Dr. Patel uses multiple implants to support fixed bridgework or full dentures.
- Who is qualified to place dental implants? With his advanced training and extensive experience, Dr. Patel is fully qualified in all phases of dental implant placement. When selecting a dentist, always look for advanced certifications, membership in professional organizations and positive patient reviews.
How Can We Help You?
If you are interested in exploring dental implants, contact Smile Solutions Dentistry to set-up a consultation. We would love to answer all your questions and evaluate if implants are right for you.