Dental implants are screw-like metallic posts that are inserted in the place of a root canal over which an artificial tooth crown can be fixed. The crown and dental implant are connected by a connector called an abutment. Dental implant surgery is done to fill the gap of missing teeth or to replace the severely damaged tooth. They are alternatives to root canal therapy, dentures, and bridgework. Dental implant surgery is different for each person as it depends upon the type of implant, condition of the jawbone as well as health. About 500 thousand people receive implants annually.

Get in touch with the best dentist in Quincy MA if you are planning to undergo dental implant procedure. However, read this blog to understand the indications, requirements, benefits, types, procedure, risks, and prognosis of dental implants.

Indications For Dental Implants

The best dentist in Quincy MA recommends dental implants only during the following conditions:

• Missing teeth
• A severely damaged or infected root canal that cannot be treated by root canal therapy
• Uncomfortable bridges or dentures
• As an alternative to root canal therapy, dental bridges or denturesRequirements
• Age: Adult people of any age can undergo implant surgery. It can also be performed for the adolescent group once their facial growth has completed. It means that growing children can’t have an implant because the procedure requires a well-developed jaw bone which has stopped growing.
• Good oral hygiene: The person planning to have an implant must ensure that hygiene of the oral cavity is well maintained to cut down any risk factor
• Good medical history: The medical history of the patient should have no disease or such condition that affects the process of bone healing.

Benefits Of Dental Implants

• Safety: It is one of the safest procedures in dentistry if performed by an experienced person.
• Bone Preservation: It preserves the natural bone as the material of the implant fuses rigidly with the jawbone and it is also known to stimulate bone growth
• Substitute: It is the best substitute for the natural tooth and behaves almost identical as the natural teeth.

Types Of Dental Implants

There are two types of implants followed:

• Endosteal Implants: The post is inserted directly into the jaw bone. They are made up of titanium as titanium fuses with the bone easily through a process called osseointegration
• Subperiosteal Implant: The dental implants are placed below the gum but on or above the jawbone. It is not inserted into the jawbone. This is done for patients who don’t have a healthy jawbone and don’t want to undergo the bone augmentation process in which bone is regenerated so that endosteal implants can be inserted.

Procedure

The basic steps in implant surgery are

• Initial Checkup: The best dentist in Quincy MA will examine your mouth, take some x-ray, and will make some models to understand the condition of your jaw
• Planning: A treatment plan is made by evaluating the condition of your jaw and type of implant and appointments will be set according to this treatment plan.
• Implantation: On your next visit, the implant would be placed in your jawbone with local anaesthesia. For most of the patients, this step is not painful at all.
• Healing Period: It takes a few months for the adequate integration of the implant with the jawbone.
• Abutment Placement: After your jawbone has made a firm bond with the implant, an abutment is placed over it which acts as a connector. In some cases, it can be placed along with the implant.
• Crown Or Bridge Placement: The custom made crown so called because it is according to the size and texture of the rest of the teeth is placed over the abutment. A dental bridge can also be placed over the abutment
• Periodic Visits: Regular visits to your dentist will ensure that the implant has been successfully placed and there are no complications.

Risk With Dental Implants

The health risks associated with the implant surgery are rare and treatable as

• Infection: the implant site can get an infection
• Surrounding Injury: The nerves, blood vessels, and other surrounding structures can suffer damage during the procedure.
• Sinusitis: The implants placed in the upper jaw can protrude into the sinuses (fluid-filled spaces around the nasal cavity) leading to its inflammation.

Prognosis

The success rate of implant surgery is over 98% and it has a very good prognosis and patient acceptability as it is the only method by which jawbone can be preserved. If you’re ready to get started and are looking for the best dentist in Quincy MA, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with this reputable dentist.