Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

About Me

Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

Hi! My name is Addy Reed. I’m 57 years old and have been neglectful about going to the dentist. Last month was my first dentist visit in six years. I had always been diligent about twice a year cleanings and checkups, but time got away from me until one of my crowns came out. As we age, the dental work from years past tends to do that. When you neglect to visit the dentist on a regular basis, the list of things that need to be done may grow; at least this was my experience. I left the dentist office with an extensive list of things I needed to have done. The office staff was very kind. They are working with me to set up a plan. I’m going to share some ideas on how to tackle a dental treatment plan, keeping it affordable and not too overwhelming.

Archive

Tags

 

A Comprehensive Guide To Dental Implant Surgery

26 May 2021
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Share

Due to the high success rate of dental implant surgery, the procedure has grown more popular in the United States than ever before. Between 2019 and 2020, dental implant procedures increased in the US by 6.3%, especially among elderly persons above 65 years. If you have a missing tooth, there is a high probability that the dentist will recommend this operation. But, do you qualify for the surgery?

Here is a detailed checklist to guide you.

1. You Shouldn't Have a Health Condition that May Slow Bone Healing

If you go for dental implant surgery, your doctor will ask if you have a health condition that may affect bone healing. Although this oral procedure has a high success rate, early or late failure may occur. Some of the medical conditions that affect bone healing include:

  •  Anxiety and depression
  •  Rheumatoid arthritis
  •  Diabetes
  •  Gastroesophageal reflux disease

2. You Must Have Healthy Oral Tissues

The success of a typical dental implant surgery depends on the state of the surrounding supporting tissue. These tissues provide a protective seal and anchor the implant. If you go for a dental implant procedure, the doctor first assesses your keratinized tissue, which is the band of tissue at the point when your teeth meet the gum. When these tissues are healthy, you are guaranteed a firm and durable implant.

3. You Must Have Adequate Bone

If you have enough bone tissue, you can have dental implant surgery at any time. If your doctor establishes that you don't have adequate bone, they may recommend bone grafting. In such a situation, the dental surgeon will take bone material from ribs, legs, and hips to perform the graft and fix damaged bones. In some cases, the doctor may use synthetic bones instead of harvesting them from your body.

4. Your Jawbone Must Have Reached Full Growth

Dental implant surgery involves placing titanium screws into the jawbone. These screws act as artificial roots that support new teeth. So, a dental implant can only be firm if your jawbone has reached full growth. In such a situation, your jawbone is mature and has strong tissues to support the implant. If you visit a dental clinic, the doctor may request an x-ray to assess the state of the jawbone.

5. You Don't Smoke

Before undergoing dental implant surgery, the doctor must ask you if you smoke. Normally, smoking harms the gum and jawbone. Nicotine slows oxygen and blood supply to the jawbone, preventing the implant from fusing with the bone. Also, smoking lowers your body's immunity, slowing down the healing process after the surgery.

The Takeaway

If you have one or several missing teeth, a dental implant surgery could be the only way to get artificial teeth that resemble the natural ones. However, talk to your dentist first to see if you qualify for a dental implant procedure.