Dental Implant Placement Surgery FAQs

More people are considering getting dental implants. The strength and stability of these restorations can provide better dental health. Getting these restorations will need surgery. If you want to know as much as you can about the placement surgery for dental implants, here are some FAQs and the answers to each.

What is the typical life span of dental implants?

These dental replacements are durable. The main material is titanium, which is one of the strongest metals known to man. Dental implants can last for about 30 years with proper care and maintenance. Research shows an 80-90% success rate for people missing entire dental arches. There is at least a 95% success rate for those who have one or more missing teeth.

Will the surgery hurt?

This procedure will be pain-free. The dentist will provide the right anesthetic and sedative. The type of sedation will depend on how anxious the patient is. Most patients prefer to be asleep during the surgery. The pain will start to surface when the anesthesia fades.

Post-surgical soreness may occur, but there will be no major pain. The surgical wounds will heal as the dental implants start to fuse with the jawbone and surrounding tissues. There will also be some discomfort in the mouth. Pain relievers can regulate the pain.

How long will it take before full healing happens?

The healing period may differ from one patient to another. This will depend on the number of dental implants a patient needs. The mouth will go through many changes once the dental implants are in place. The titanium rods will need to bind with the jawbone. Another name for this process is osseointegration.

How long will the fusion take?

Dental implants need to complete the fusion process to achieve stability. The process may take three to nine months. This will depend on the jawbone’s strength. There are cases when the dentist may place the dental crowns right after the implant placement. This cuts down the entire treatment period.

What could be the possible problems after dental implant placement surgery?

Pain is a common issue after this invasive procedure. The dentist will prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers to make the patient’s healing easy and quick. There are cases when some individuals develop infections after the surgery. This will need a more extensive antibiotic treatment.

Some patients experience injury to the neighboring teeth during the implant placement. Problems could develop in the lower jaw nerve. One of them is a lack of bone mass. It may be difficult to place the titanium rod while avoiding the nerve.

The placement can irritate this nerve on occasion. This could result in numbness in the tongue, lip, or chin. The patient could also experience loss of sensation in these areas. Informing the dentist about this right away can help change the patient’s care plan.

What if the patient prefers metal-free dental implants?

Unfortunately, there are no metal-free implants. The materials for dental replacements always have metal ions. Standard dental implants are titanium. This metal is biocompatible. The body treats it as organic material. It is also rare to have an allergy to titanium.

What can happen if the patient waits too long to get implants?

Losing teeth can result in bone loss. This may need more extensive procedures in the near future. Continuous adjustments to removable dentures must always happen. The dentist must realign the dentures and even replace them on occasion. Even so, these adjustments can only do so much when it comes to speaking and eating.

Dentures cause pain and soreness. These restorations rest on the gum tissue and press on it. Wearing them needs adhesives and solutions for cleaning. This deteriorates the jawbone, which leads to more tooth loss. Losing the jawbone can also make the patient look older due to a lack of facial bone support.

Is there a chance that the body could reject the dental implant?

The body cannot reject dental implants because these restorations do not have organic materials. Titanium is biocompatible. It is rare for an individual to have an allergic reaction to this metal. Implant failure is possible if it does not fuse with the jawbone or if an infection starts. The success rate of dental implants is high.

Knowing what to expect in placing dental implants can prepare you for your procedure

Getting dental implants involves going through surgery. This can be a difficult challenge for the patient and dentist. Discussing the procedure can give the patient a better picture of what will happen during and after the surgery. The mentioned FAQs can guide you during your coming consultation.

Are you considering getting dental implants in the Gainesville area? Get more information at https://gallodental.com.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Gainesville, GA.