Having missing teeth can be quite challenging for various reasons, such as proper eating and maintaining a confident smile. It can even affect speech. Thankfully, with the help of dental implants, all of these problems can be eliminated.
Dental implants are small prosthetic pieces that are used to replace the base of a missing tooth. After they are placed, another prosthetic, such as a denture or bridge, is used in conjunction to complete the tooth replacement process.
With dental implants come a few hoops to jump through first. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the process and what to expect. The consultation process is the first part of getting dental implants. Continue reading to find out what is involved.
Below is some general information on what one can expect during a consultation for getting dental implants. This information can be reviewed by individuals who are looking into having missing teeth replaced.
The evaluation and examination are crucial parts of a consultation appointment for dental implants. This allows the dentist to determine what the need is as far as how many implants and what prosthetic to use. If there are any decaying teeth noticed, the dentist may also recommend extraction and replacement of those as well.
In some cases, the dentist may take X-rays to see what the bone beneath the missing teeth looks like. Dental implants allow for bone stimulation of the jaw, which can go a long way in oral health. Seeing the condition of the jaw before starting the process of dental implants is important. If the teeth have been missing for a long time, implants may not hold up within the bone, in which case a graft would be required.
Another thing to expect during the consultation appointment is to set goals and go over expectations. The goal when getting dental implants is typically to replace one missing tooth or multiple. In some cases, individuals may opt to only replace certain teeth with dental implants, especially if they are missing sporadically throughout the arch. In this case, a dental crown might be used or a small bridge as the prosthetic. If an entire arch is missing, dental implants can be used with an attached denture piece. The implant specialist will help the patient determine what the end goal is.
Expectations are crucial to go over during a dental implant consultation. Patients often want to have missing teeth replaced within a couple of weeks; however, that is far from the reality of the process. Implants have to fuse with the bone naturally through a process called osseointegration. This can take a few months to complete. Those who are on a tight timeline for replacing missing teeth may want to consider an alternative to dental implants.
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Considering dental implants to replace missing teeth? Start with a consultation today. Any unanswered questions or concerns can be addressed by a professional.
Request an appointment or call Dental Partners East Ridge at 423-680-6784 for an appointment in our Chattanooga office.
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