Having a beautiful smile can help you to be confident as you go out into the world. Some people, though, struggle with being confident because their smiles aren’t what they want them to be.
Missing teeth can make a person feel awkward when he smiles. This person may not be sure what, if anything, might be done to restore his confidence.
There are dentists now, though, that specialize in installing needed implants that disguise a missing tooth, or even missing teeth. Such a procedure may seem like a drastic step to take, but, if you want to be more confident when you smile, it may be just what you need.
You should be aware that these procedures are not usually covered by a dental insurance plan, so, if you are considering having implants put in, you should find out whether your insurance will cover it. You may have to pay some costly dentist bills, if your insurance policy doesn’t cover implants.
If, however, you make the determination that the procedure is for you, do not delay in going to see your dentist. He will be able to refer you to a cosmetic dentist who has experience in performing this type of procedure.
The cosmetic dentist will decide whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. He will inspect the missing toot or teeth.
He must also be sure that there is enough bone beneath the gaps. The jaw bone will become the foundation to which your implants are secured, so it must be strong enough and thick enough.
Furthermore, the gum tissue in the gaps must be healthy and able to endure the procedure. If all these areas pass the examination by the cosmetic dentist, you will be left with one last decision to make.
You must decide whether you will be able to keep going through the several months required to complete the procedure. If you believe that you can endure, you and the cosmetic dentist will set up a time for you to return and begin preparing for the procedure.
These preparations will include a thorough examination of your mouth, not just the gaps you want filled. A patient undergoing surgery in a hospital must similarly be subjected to a full examination in order to determine any possible complications that might arise during the procedure.
Upon completion of the examination, your mouth will be x-rayed. These images will be used by the cosmetic dentist to determine the best way to conduct the procedure.
Since dental implants are secured into the jaw bone, it is vital to check the x-rays before the procedure. Although the bone may appear outwardly to be good enough to provide a foundation for the implants, an x-ray may reveal some previously unknown weakness or problem.
Also, after the examination, you will be asked to provide information about your medical history. This information will be used in the dentist’s considerations of how to go about the procedure.
The information will also be of use when it comes time to prescribe antibiotics and other medications requisite for the procedure to be completed properly. Be as honest and as accurate as is possible.
In order to perform the procedure effectively, the cosmetic dentist may require the aid of other specialists. If, this assistance is required, you will probably be introduced to each of them.
When all is ready, the procedure will begin. To start, the gum tissue in the gaps that are to be filled will be opened, exposing the jaw bone. If it is necessary to strengthen your jaw bone before securing the implants, a bone graft may be done that will improve the bone structure.
After the gum tissue has been opened, the implant will be put into the jaw bone. When all this is done, the gum tissue will be stitched.
As with any surgery, there will be a period of healing. Your cosmetic dentist will tell you how long it will take.
In general, several months are required for the implants to become adequately secured into the jaw. After you have recovered, you will be ready to have the anchoring posts attached to the implant.
This will require a small surgery to be performed, but you should heal fairly quickly afterward. The dentists will then take impressions of your teeth and prepare the artificial ones.
These new teeth, when they are ready, will be placed on the posts. When this is all complete, your smile will look like new!
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