When dental implants are needed so that you have the natural structure in your mouth that teeth provide and so that you can eat like you normally would, you might have a few concerns about the process. It sometimes takes a few months for the process to be completed. However, the end result is beneficial because implants often last for the rest of your life.

The first step in getting implants is getting any teeth that are no longer healthy extracted. You don’t have to get implants in your entire mouth. There are options so that you only get one or two or a few implants in areas of your mouth where your teeth are no longer healthy. When you begin talking to your local dental implants anchorage offices, you will usually have X-rays and molds taken of your mouth to determine the severity of your teeth and how many need to be removed. If you’re already missing teeth, then it’s usually easier to place implants.

Talk to your dentist about any alternatives that you might have. If all of your teeth need to be removed, then dentures might be a better option. However, if you don’t want to remove dentures each day to clean them or while you’re sleeping, then implants would likely be the better option. Placing the implants is usually a simple process. Some dentists will use anesthesia or sedatives so that you’re comfortable. This means that someone will have to drive you home after the implants are placed. If the dentist sees that the bone in your jaw is not conducive for implants, then grafting could take place so that there is a healthy bone to work with. It could take a few weeks for the implants to heal with the bones or as long as a few months. Temporary fixtures can be worn so that you don’t have a mouth with no teeth. This is considered immediate loading and involves placing caps over the implants that look like teeth.

After the bone has healed, there are a few options that the dentist can consider when trying to place the crowns in your mouth. Single crowns can be used so that each tooth looks and feels natural. Bridges can also be made that cover larger areas of your mouth. This is often the best solution if you have several or all of your teeth that have been replaced. Your teeth will function like natural ones in your mouth, allowing you to eat what you want, brush them, and show them off while smiling. It’s important to keep your implants maintained and cleaned like you would your natural teeth because even though they will likely last for the rest of your life, it’s possible for damage to occur. Protect your implants by wearing a mouthguard while playing sports or flossing at least twice a day to remove food from between your teeth. You should also visit your dentist regularly for examinations and cleanings to ensure that your implants are healthy.