About Teeth Implant Procedures

Contributor

By Carole Vansickle
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(0 Ratings)

Tooth implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth and other related dental problems. Implanted teeth can be treated just like your natural teeth, and they are far simpler to care for in the long run than other dental replacements. However, before you get tooth implants you need to understand how they work and the ramifications of the procedure in order to insure that you are prepared for the outcome of the surgery.

Function

Tooth implants consist of a false tooth attached to a metal "root."
Procedures to implant teeth involve screwing a metal attachment into the jawbone. Once the metal attachment is securely in the jaw, a porcelain tooth is fitted permanently onto the attachment. The tooth looks and acts just like a regular tooth because it is artificially rooted in the jaw.

Considerations

Tooth implant procedures can be painful, but they generally do not require more than one trip to a surgeon. After the procedure, your dentist can monitor your healing process. Also, while your jaw will certainly be sore following the surgery and full healing may take some time, you generally will be able to return to normal eating behavior in a week or two at most.

Time Frame

The actual surgery can take some time, particularly if you are having a large number of teeth implanted. The more teeth you have installed, the longer and more painful your recovery process will be. The surgery itself can take 1 to several hours. After you wake up, you will probably experience some pain over the next 4 or 5 days. The entire healing process can take 3 to 6 months; after the first few weeks you will not notice your implants too much, though they will still require monitoring and special care.

Effects

Teeth implant procedures are great for confidence. Having a gap in your smile or no teeth at all can dramatically impact the way you interact with other people. Even though teeth implants can be a hassle while they heal, most people are extremely satisfied with the outcome. Teeth implant procedures generally cause temporary pain, facial bruising and swelling, but this fades fairly quickly.

Misconceptions

Many people do not realize that teeth implants are not removable and that the surgery is very hard to reverse. In fact, once you have teeth implants, those implants become your new teeth. They cannot be "unscrewed" without serious pain and dental trauma. Do not get dental implants unless you are certain that you want them, because the reversal is extremely expensive and painful.

Warning

While you are healing from a tooth implant procedure, be sure that you follow your doctor's instructions for care to the letter. Improper healing can lead to serious infections and even bone decay. If you feel heat in your jawbone or notice a bad smell coming from your mouth, these are signs of infection and must be addressed immediately.