The History of Dentistry

The History of Dentistry

Understanding Dental Implants

Regina Carlson

If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you are probably considering seeing a prosthodontist. One of the most common treatments you will be offered is a dental implant. These are used for replacing missing roots and also offer support to artificial replacement teeth. The following are some facts that will help you understand what implants are all about.

What is a dental implant?

An artificial root composed of titanium metal. The implant is inserted into the jawbone in order to replace your tooth's root.  An artificial tooth is later attached to the dental implant. The replacement is held in place by the implant.

The factors that will determine how long the implant procedure will take are the following:

  • How many teeth you will be replacing
  • Which teeth will be replaced- incisors, molars, premolars e.t.c.
  • Whether a tooth will be extracted before the implant is placed
  • Your dental health

How are implants done?

  1. Your prosthodontist examines your mouth and takes x-rays of your jaw and teeth in order to determine if dental implants will work for you.
  2. In stage one of the treatment; your prosthodontist puts an implant in your jawbone under your gum tissue. Your gum tissue is stitched back. As your gum tissue heals, the dental implant bonds with your bone and attaches itself to your gum.
  3. In stage two, your dentist attaches an abutment on your dental implant. An abutment is used to connect the implant to the replacement tooth.
  4. Your doctor makes a replacement tooth then attaches it to the abutment. The replacement tooth attaches to the abutment after several appointments.
  5. If you are replacing several or all your teeth, a bridge will be anchored to your implants. This is a restoration used for replacing one or more teeth by covering the area that has no teeth. Dental implants are fixed on each side of your missing tooth to hold the bridge in place.

What complications are to be expected?

  • Your body rejecting the implant
  • Your implant failing to attach to the bone
  •  Infection around the bone and gums
  • Losing bone tissue around the area of the implant

What to expect after treatment?

You will have bruises and swelling around the gum. You can treat this discomfort by using pain killers such as codeine, hydrocodone or ibuprofen.

How to care for your implants

Implants should be cleaned with a toothbrush and flossed regularly. You should also visit your doctor regularly to ensure your bite is okay and to check whether your implants are loose.

For more information, contact a business such as Precision Dental Care @ Kingston.


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About Me
The History of Dentistry

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved stories about the past. Whether the stories were about horses, wars, exploration or even dentistry, I loved to hear them. I find that knowing the history of something helps it to make sense and feel approachable. I know that some people have dental anxiety, and I too have suffered, but I also feel like the more you know about dental work and its history, the easier it is. This blog is dedicated to exploring the history of dentistry – What did ancient people use for fillings? How did early dentists numb their patients? Who was the first dentist? Those are just some of the questions I plan to answer here. Ready? Okay, let's dive into the history of dentistry together!