Replacing missing teeth is important for a lot more than just your self-esteem. Having teeth missing can negatively affect your ability to chew certain foods and pronounce certain words. Moreover, missing teeth can be very detrimental to tooth alignment, jawbone health, and the health of your remaining teeth. Today, our orthodontic experts at the office of Steven C. Hewett, DDS discuss the differences between implant dentistry and traditional dentures.
How Does the Implant Dentistry Process Differ From Traditional Dentures?
The implant dentistry process provides similar results to traditional dentures. Ultimately, artificial teeth mitigate the risk of jawbone density loss, future tooth loss, and other complications that can arise from missing teeth. However, the processes aren’t the same.
In the case of the former, the artificial teeth are affixed to the jawbone with titanium screws. This results in the artificial teeth feeling and functioning as natural teeth. In the latter’s case, impressions are made of your jaws to create a mold of your teeth assuming no teeth first must be removed. Then, the dentures are custom-made to fit in your mouth and replace your missing teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants Over Dentures?
One of the most compelling benefits of dental implants over traditional dentures is that the former feels much more natural. Since the dental implants are screwed directly into your jawbone, they function just like the rest of your teeth, and eating will feel comfortable once you’ve recovered from surgery. People also prefer dental implants over dentures because pronunciation is easier with dental implants.
Another compelling benefit of implant dentistry is that the results are long-lasting. If you maintain your oral health, your dental implants can last up to three decades. While dentures may last a long time, you may need to replace them every five to 15 years. On average, dentures last seven to 10 years, but their durability can vary greatly based on the material used and other factors.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You must attend an evaluation to confirm dental implants are appropriate. To make this determination, we will X-ray your mouth and evaluate the health of your jawbones, teeth, and mouth. You should have good oral and overall health to be considered a good candidate for this procedure.
There are many contraindications for this procedure, including uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled gum disease, alcoholism, and tobacco use. You also may be unable to receive this procedure if you suffer from cancer or have had radiation to your jaws. It’s possible to qualify for dental implants if any of these contraindications apply to you, but you may have to modify your routine temporarily.
What Preparation Steps Are Required Before Surgery?
How To Prepare the Day Before Your Procedure
The day before your procedure, arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You will be unable to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. Also, you must take all medications, like antibiotics, as prescribed the day before surgery. During your initial evaluation, we’ll determine the best medication to keep you calm and comfortable during your procedure. Once that decision’s made, we’ll let you know what fasting instructions to follow.
What To Do the Morning of Your Procedure
On the morning of your procedure, avoid wearing anything with tight collars or buttons. Ideally, you should arrive for your appointment in loose-fitting clothes. You must brush your teeth before your appointment, but you need to avoid using any oral care products, including mouthwash, that are strongly flavored. Furthermore, to be prepared for your procedure completely, bring a list of all your allergies, medical conditions, and drug consumption.
How To Prepare for Your Recovery
You don’t just need to prepare for your procedure. You also need to prepare for your postoperative recovery period. A great way to help your recovery go as smoothly as possible is to clear as much of your schedule as you can for the week following surgery. If you can’t dedicate seven days to your recovery, take at least two days off from work.
Be prepared to not exercise for at least seven days post-op. It’s vital that your blood can clot normally, and too much physical activity may break down your blood clots. Also, make sure you have plenty of over-the-counter analgesics, cold foods, and soft foods on hand.
Other Frequently Asked Questions Answered
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
Healing times vary based on an individual’s health, the scope of the procedure, and other factors. However, you should start feeling better just a few days after surgery. Nonetheless, it often takes several months for the dental implants to fuse with the jawbone completely.
What Should I Eat During My Recovery?
During the first hour following your procedure, your gauze sponges must remain in the surgery site. After that, it is okay to remove them to eat. For one to two days after surgery, your diet should consist of a cool liquid diet, but you can’t drink out of a straw. Like exercise, drinking out of a straw can disrupt your blood clots. Hot beverages and foods should be avoided. Similarly, you must avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption for a few days post-op.
While you’re on your liquid diet, we strongly recommend drinking smoothies made with high-protein yogurt, vegetables, and fruits. Peanut butter is another nutritious smoothie add-in. If you’re not feeling a smoothie, you can have a smooth, cold soup, applesauce, pudding, Jell-O, or a milkshake. Fruit juice and milk are other good sources of calories, vitamins, minerals, and hydration.
Learn More About Your Implant Options Today
The implant dentistry process differs from traditional dentures in that the former involves using titanium screws to attach the false teeth directly to the jawbone. In the case of traditional dentures, surgery is not required, but dentures don’t last as long as dental implants. To discover which implant option is ideal, contact us now at the office of Steven C. Hewett, DDS in Champions Gate, FL to book an appointment.
