Can you restore my existing dental implant if the crown is damaged?
If you already have dental implants but have damaged the crown (tooth portion) of one of them, you may qualify to have your cosmetic dentist perform a dental restoration that leaves the implanted portion alone. This is the most convenient and affordable way to address the problem. Therefore, find out if a dentist offers restorative solutions before starting the procedure.
What are the requirements to qualify for a dental implants procedure?
We place dental implants in patients for a variety of reasons. If you have any other oral health problems, these will need to be addressed first. Since this is a surgical procedure, it is important to start the process with healthy teeth and gums. The other qualify factor is bone density. We will take x-rays in office to determine if your bone is dense enough for the implant to be securely placed. If it is not, we can discuss other options such as bone grafts.
How long does the process take?
That depends on how many implants you are having placed by your cosmetic dentist. It can take up to an hour to place each metal implant. This is why if you are having a lot of teeth replaced, you may need to visit us several times. Once the titanium post has been implanted, you will need to wait a couple of months for the process of osseointegration to take place. This is where the metal and bone fuse together to provide a sturdy, synthetic root system for your new tooth. You will not feel anything while this is taking place but waiting is important to ensure that your final tooth is as durable as a natural one would be. When ready, we will attach the new crown (tooth) to an abutment that is secured to your implant. This appointment will be much shorter.
What is the recovery like?
As your cosmetic dentist, we recommend that you prepare for recovery by putting soft ice packs in the freezer, buying ibuprofen, and soft foods that you can eat. For a few days, your gums will be sore so the ice and ibuprofen will help to reduce any swelling while eating soft foods will help to prevent discomfort. After a few days, you should begin to feel better and start to eat regular foods though you should still avoid anything sharp. Since there is a delay between when the metal implant is placed and when the new tooth is attached, we often provide our %city% patients with a temporary denture to wear so that their smile appears intact while waiting for the procedure to be completed.
From the perspective of a cosmetic dentist are the final results like a bridge or dentures?
Be sure to ask about the final results and what you can expect for your particular situation. Scientifically, an implant is the most secure and durable tooth replacement solution that you can find because it derives strength from the jawbone. By comparison, a bridge relies on your other teeth to hold the bridge in place and dentures are removable which means that they can come loose. Dental implants, being permanent also look much better which is why cosmetic dentists prefer this solution.
