Each year, millions of Americans undergo dental implants to combat missing teeth caused by periodontal disease, tooth decay, injury, and more. If you are looking to fill the gap in your smile with a dental implant, it’s normal to have questions before undergoing the procedure. At Cambridge Family Dentistry, our team has years of experience providing patients with dental implants in Wichita, Kansas, and is answering some of our patients’ most commonly asked questions below!
How Is the Procedure Performed?
From start to finish, getting a dental implant procedure typically takes anywhere from three to nine months. While this time frame may seem lengthy to some patients, it will ensure that all steps have been taken to help the implant successfully fuse to the jawbone. The process in and of itself is quite straightforward and consists of the following:
Your dentist will place the implant in the jawbone.
You will experience a two to six-month waiting period for the surrounding implant area to heal.
Once the implant is fully fused to the jawbone, your dentist will place a custom crown onto the implant.
After a few months, your tooth should be fully healed!
What Are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?
Unlike other temporary options available, dental implants are meant to be permanent solutions to gaps in your smile. These implants won’t affect your adjacent teeth but will blend with the appearance of your surrounding teeth to create a perfectly natural-looking smile. Not to mention, dental implants require very little maintenance and can be cleaned just the same as your natural teeth!
Are Dental Implants Painful?
Contrary to popular belief, dental implants are not as painful as patients assume! Oftentimes the procedure will be performed using sedation or dental anesthesia in addition to local anesthesia to ensure a pain-free experience. While you may experience minimal post-operative discomfort immediately following surgery, most patients report little to no pain a week following surgery. Should you experience persistent discomfort, your dental implant surgeon can also prescribe pain medication during the healing period.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With good oral hygiene practices, your dental implants are intended to last a lifetime! You can help protect your dental work and your natural teeth by practicing excellent oral hygiene and brushing your teeth thoroughly, attending regular dentist appointments, and breaking damaging habits such as smoking and drinking caffeine as they may stain your teeth. Our team at Cambridge Family Dentistry has years of experience providing dental implants in Wichita and recommends avoiding chewing hard candies and other tough foods that can crack or break your crowns.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in all articles published on the Cambridge Family Dentistry website do not necessarily reflect the views of our staff members at Cambridge Family Dentistry.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
