Dental Implant Placement
 Tooth loss can be a hard experience, especially when you have lost more than one. Fortunately, there are several solutions for lost teeth, which allow you to enjoy full oral functioning - as well as a bright, vibrant smile. At Oregon Periodontics, P.C., we offer several of these dental solutions, top among them being dental implant placement. With these implants, you no longer have to suffer from missing teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are replacement teeth, which are comprised of artificial tooth roots (metal posts or frames) and crowns. The roots are fitted into the jawbone, and then the crowns are screwed onto them. The crowns—the actual replacement teeth—can be either permanent or removable. Dental implants (the tooth like part) are usually made of a ceramic material and are in the shape and color of the natural teeth.
Why Should You Get Dental Implants?
There are several benefits to choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth:
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Dental implants look like natural teeth.
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Dental implants are long-lasting, and the placement can even be permanent.
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Dental implants prevent bone loss, which helps to preserve your natural facial appearance—jawbone loss can alter the structure of your face.
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Dental implants prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting, thus preventing embarrassing conditions such as unevenly spaced teeth.
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Dental implants are easy to take care of and maintain—they only require proper oral care, just like with natural teeth. |
The Dental Implant Placement Procedure
The dental implant placement takes place in stages, beginning with a thorough dental examination to identify the affected teeth and the implant site. Models of the teeth and mouth structure are also created to ensure that the implants retain your natural appearance.
After the dental examination, the next step is the extraction of the affected teeth. If there is any damage to the jawbone, additional procedures such as bone grafting can be performed to ensure that it's ready for the implant.
The jawbone (either after extraction or grafting) is left to heal to allow for proper placement of the metal frames. The frames are surgically placed into the jawbone and then left to heal. During the healing period, the frames grow with the jawbone, creating a strong foundation for the artificial teeth. After placing the metal frames, abutments (extensions of the frames, and which also hold the crowns) are placed. The artificial teeth are then fitted, completing the procedure.
Overall, the entire procedure—from diagnosis to finish—can take a few or several months depending on your situation.
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Dental implant placement is a procedure that involves surgery, comes with some risks. However, they are minimal, rarely occur, and if they occur, they are not serious in nature—can be easily fixed:
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Infection at the implant site after the procedure—especially if you do not practice proper oral hygiene
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Injury to the surrounding teeth, jawbone, gum tissue, blood vessels, and nerves
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Sinus problems—when the implants protrude into the sinus cavities |
Side effects such as swelling, bruising of the gum tissues, pain at the implant sites, and some bleeding is also normal after the tooth extraction and the surgical procedure.
Taking Care of Your Implants
Once your dental implants have been placed, it is important to take care of them to ensure their longevity and enjoy the benefits they offer. Observing proper oral hygiene is one of the best ways of caring for your implants. You should also avoid bad habits that can damage your implants, for example, smoking, hard chewing, chewing on hard foods, heavy drinking, and excessive consumption of tooth-staining substances (coffee, wine, etc.)
If you have lost your teeth, dental implants can help to restore your smile and allow you to enjoy full functioning of your mouth. Call us, Oregon Periodontics, P.C., at (503) 575-7750 for more information about our dental implant solutions and what they can do for you. |
