Are Dental Implants a Good Option for Front Tooth Replacement?
Losing a front tooth is the worst case scenario for most patients. The loss of function accompanied with the loss of aesthetic appeal can be frustrating to say the least. But while the experience most certainly is life-changing, it does not have to have a detrimental effect on a patient’s quality of life.
Whether due to neglect, illness or trauma, tooth extraction may become inevitable. The good news is that we live in an era of advanced technology and there are reliable and effective ways to artificially undo damage to our health, and that includes dental restoration through implants.
Dental implants are the most sophisticated method of dental restoration, and it can be done for a single missing tooth or for multiple ones, such as when patients are nearing the terminal dentition stage, a situation when all or most of the teeth in one or both arches fail.
But does that mean they are a good option for front tooth replacement? Can an implant look completely natural? An experienced oral and dental professional and implant specialist in Murrieta answers these questions and more.
How long does it take to implant one tooth?
For an experienced surgeon, the placement of a single dental implant is a simple and straightforward procedure which takes about 20-30 minutes to perform. But whether things will go smoothly depends on the specific situation.
Before implant placement, it may be necessary to first extract the tooth that is beyond repair and needs to be replaced with the implant. Immediate implant placement may be possible after the extraction, and this is the typical scenario when front missing teeth are concerned. The implant is placed into the socket and allowed to heal.
However, if the tooth was previously removed or fell out and the implant was not placed right away, it is necessary to wait for the bone and soft tissue to heal properly, which takes roughly 3 months.
Sometimes, the oral surgeon may need to bone graft the area before they can place an implant. The bone grafting procedure, if needed, is done after the extraction. About 4 months later, the surgeon can place the implant at the site. This scenario may be what most oral surgeons recommend.
In either case, the crown that is attached to the implant is custom-made, so the end-result is a like-natural tooth that does not stand out.
How long do tooth implants last?
Much like our natural teeth, dental implants require regular, adequate care in order to last. Although dental implants could last a lifetime, especially when compared to bridges and other dental restoration options, there is no guarantee.
One important factor is the expertise and experience of the person performing the procedure. Another one that is just as important is the quality of the dental implants used for the procedure. Cutting-edge, latest-generation implants do cost more than their low-cost counterparts, but they are well worth the investment.
Who is not a good candidate for dental implants?
There are several cases in which patients may not be good candidates for dental implants, such as:
- Poor dental/oral health
- Poor overall health
- Certain medication regimens
However, this does not mean all hope is lost. If a patient suffers from a chronic condition that is manageable, they could become a good candidate for the implants once the condition has been put under control. They may be able to switch to a different medication regimen. Even in the case of insufficient bone density at the implant site, there are ways to turn patients into the right candidates for dental implants, such as through advanced surgical bone grafting procedures.
Looking for a dentist & implant specialist in Murrieta?
While there are low-cost dental restoration options, none are as reliable, as lasting and as natural-looking as dental implants. Additionally, dental implant placement is less invasive than extraction. There is less discomfort compared to dental extraction and the recovery process is more rapid and less likely to lead to complications, provided that the procedure was performed by an experienced surgeon.
You have come to the right place. Dr. Dmitry Tsvetov, DDS, MD is an oral surgeon with experience in giving his patients in Murrieta and nearby areas in the Temecula Valley a chance to turn back time and restore their oral and dental health. Do not hesitate to call and schedule an appointment.
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