Getting Dental Implants - What You Need To Know

If your dentist tells you that you may need dental implants, you most likely have a bunch of questions to ask. Dental implants are used to replace teeth that you have lost. They are put in place via surgery and are an alternative to dentures. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have about dental implants.

Will They Work For Me?

To be a candidate for dental implants, you must be of good health and able to withstand a surgery. You will need to have enough bone available to anchor the implants into place. If you have experienced bone loss, they may not work. You should be a nonsmoker and be committed to taking care of your teeth.

How Are They Placed?

Implants are placed in a surgical setting. You will need to have a general anesthesia administered. When you are under anesthesia, the implants will be embedded into the jawbone. A root pole will be connected to the anchors to replace the roots that you have lost when you lost the teeth. These poles will stick out of your gum area. Porcelain teeth will be screwed onto these poles to give you the appearance of having a full set of real teeth.

How Do I Pick Out My New Teeth?

Before surgery, your dentist will help you in the process of picking out porcelain teeth to place on the implants. You will want to pick a shade that will match the other teeth in your mouth. The shape will also need to be made to match your existing teeth. Your dentist will make a computer model by observation and measurements of your existing teeth to see how the new teeth will look in your mouth. You will have color charts to look through and be able to pick the sizing and shapes by looking at models of your teeth on the computer.

How Do I Take Care Of My New Implants?

Taking care of implants is very similar to how you would take care of your real teeth. You need to continue a brushing and flossing regime faithfully. You will need to continue seeing your dentist at six month intervals. Implants will need to have additional cleaning, as well. There are special brushes that will clean porcelain without scratching the surface. Your dentist will recommend a brush that would work for your teeth.

Contact a local dentist that specializes in implant dentistry if you have any further questions.