Over the last several decades, dental implant treatment has been nearly perfected, boasting an astounding 95 percent success rate, even after 10 years of placement. Their unique design allows patients to rebuild the entire structure of their missing teeth, not just the visible part. This unique feature means that patients can optimize the function, health, and appearance of their smile. You can learn whether you’re a good candidate for tooth replacement with dental implants in Mankato, MN by scheduling a consultation with one of our dentists today!
Dental implants themselves are small, titanium posts that are surgically placed below the gumline and into the jawbone. Due to their biocompatible nature, they’re able to undergo a process called osseointegration, where they chemically fuse with the bone, just like your natural teeth roots once were. This allows the implants to provide stimulation and blood flow to the area to keep it from eroding, and offers a strong and stable foundation for dental prosthetics to be secured to.
Dental implants boast a wide array of unique benefits that make them a popular tooth replacement treatment among patients. Some of the advantages that you’ll be able to enjoy include:
Dental implants are a versatile tooth replacement option that can help patients who are missing one, several, or all of their teeth. However, certain oral or medical condition can set back the process, such as gum disease. If this is the case in your situation, you may require preparatory procedures, like gum disease therapy, a bone graft, or other treatments to get the health of your mouth back on the right track. This will ensure successful dental implant surgery results and increase the lifespan of your restorations down the road. Then, we can walk you through how we plan to restore your smile.
For a single missing tooth, our team will place one dental implant below the gumline to replace the root. Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, we can place the abutment, followed by a customized dental crown to fill the space in the arch.
Instead of having to alter the structure of your natural, healthy teeth by placing a traditional dental bridge, our team can secure two dental implants to either side of the gap in your smile. This will hold your restoration securely in place—no alteration of your existing teeth necessary.
Traditional dentures utilize natural suction to stay in place, but that isn’t always enough for some people to confidently speak and chew. Instead, we can secure your denture to anywhere from four to eight dental implants placed along your arch to hold them in place and allow them to function and look like natural teeth.
The dental implant process is completely customized to fit each individual patient’s needs, which is why there’s no set cost for the treatment. To learn how much it would cost to restore your smile with dental implants, you’ll need to visit our dental office for a consultation so we can determine how many implants you would need, whether you require preparatory treatments, and what type of restoration you require. Once we’ve done this, we’ll be able to provide you a breakdown of the cost.
Dental implants are now considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, and it’s easy to see why. Many patients choose to invest in this modern tooth loss solution because of its longevity. These unique prosthetics have the ability to last decades, sometimes even a lifetime! Of course, that’s only the case if they’re properly cared for. The good news is that caring for your dental implants in Mankato is fairly simple. To help you out, our team at Hyland Dental has compiled a list of simple precautions you can follow to keep your newly rebuilt smile in its very best shape for life.
The most common reason for dental implant failure is an infection in the gum tissue. Luckily, you can easily prevent it by practicing good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash are excellent practices that can help keep your smile in great condition.
One of the most significant advantages of dental implants is that they can withstand the chewing of virtually any food. Since the titanium posts replace the entire structure of your missing teeth, they allow you to chew through almost anything with ease. However, you should avoid overindulging in sugary, starchy, or acidic foods as they can lead to the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria and contribute to implant failure. Instead, you should eat fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, dairy products, and whole grains to keep your grin strong and healthy.
Do not use your implants for anything other than chewing! Poor habits like smoking, using your teeth as tools, chewing on pens or pencils, and biting your fingernails could easily cost you a trip to your emergency dentist in Mankato. If you need help quitting these habits, don’t hesitate to ask us for help. We’ll provide you with the support, resources, and guidance you need to make the feat as easy as can be.
Although dental implants are strong, they’re not indestructible. If you regularly play sports, you should ask our team about a custom-made athletic mouthguard. It’ll protect your teeth from any impact should you sustain a blow to the face. On the other hand, if you grind your teeth at night, you can wear a custom nightguard to keep your enamel safe.
It’s strongly recommended that you visit our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. At every routine appointment, we’ll make sure your implants and remaining teeth are in tip-top shape. If there are any problems, we can address them before they turn into painful complications down the line. Plus, these visits are a great opportunity to ask us any further questions you may have about maintaining your implants.
If you suffer from extensive tooth loss, you may be thinking about rebuilding your smile with dental implants in Mankato. You can review the information above to determine whether this method of tooth replacement is right for you. However, it’s completely normal to have a few concerns about the process before committing to it. To help you, our team at Hyland Dental has decided to answer some frequently asked questions from patients. Of course, if you don’t see your question, feel free to contact our team!
For most patients with good health, dental implants are very successful when placed by a qualified professional. If you have low jawbone density or gum disease, your implant dentist in Mankato can fix these problems to make dental implant surgery safer and more successful. If you have diabetes, cancer, or other medical conditions that could make surgery/healing risky, we can discuss that during your consultation.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are one of the most permanent solutions for missing teeth, capable of lasting well over 30 years. Of course, their exact lifespan depends heavily on your oral health and lifestyle. You can help your upgraded smile’s durability by brushing twice a day along with daily flossing and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash. Make sure you visit our dental team every six months for a checkup and cleaning as well!
It depends on how many implants you’re receiving at once. Generally, placing a single implant takes 1-2 hours. This includes the time needed to administer anesthesia and dress you for a sterile surgical atmosphere.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
Once they are placed in the jawbone, dental implants will feel exactly like the roots of your original teeth. The implants themselves have no nerve endings. Any sensations that you feel in that area – like heat, cold, or pressure – come from the gums surrounding the implants.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implants usually fail for one of two reasons: peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease that develops from poor oral hygiene, damaging the jawbone and soft tissue. Meanwhile, failed osseointegration is exactly as the name implies – when the implant fails to integrate with the jawbone successfully. A few other causes of dental implant failure include chronic teeth grinding, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, and health conditions like diabetes and cancer.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
In most cases, patients typically only need to take a day or two off work to get dental implants. Of course, every case is unique, meaning the exact amount of time you’ll need to take off will be based on your specific situation. If you work a physically demanding job, you should ideally take three to four days off. Strenuous exercise could divert blood from the implant site and delay healing.