Caring for Dental Implants
Spring Hill, FL
 If you are missing teeth, then you have probably heard of dental implants as a solution. Dental implants are popular and widely practiced for a reason. Their benefits to your oral care far exceed cosmetic value. Here at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care, we are proud to handle the dental needs of the whole family with compassion and expertise. Let us help you not only explore whether dental implants are right for you, but also ensure that you know how to get the best value out of your dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants, unlike dentures, are prosthetics fused into your jaw. Through a routine surgical procedure, a small post made of a biocompatible material such as titanium or zirconium is placed into your jawbone, acting as the root of the tooth. As the jawbone heals, it will bond with the implant. This is called osseointegration. Finally, a crown is screwed onto the post inside the jaw, and your dental implant will be complete and almost indistinguishable from a regular tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The biggest appeal to dental implants is that they totally replace the whole tooth. Because they start within your jaw, just as a natural tooth does, there are no spaces or gaps. We fit the implant perfectly in your mouth. Being made from biocompatible materials, dental implants feel like normal teeth, and you will quickly forget you were ever missing a tooth. Best of all, dental implants are strong enough that you can chew just as you would with a natural tooth.
Beyond cosmetics, comfort, and usability, dental implants can strengthen your jawbone that would otherwise atrophy without the missing tooth and gap in the gum. Osseointegration allows the jaw and gum to act as if there is a tooth once again, keeping your jaw, gums, and overall oral health in great condition.
Caring for Dental Implants
High-quality, well-cared for dental implants can last a lifetime. Do not neglect to keep your implants clean and cared for because it is an artificial tooth. Although your implant cannot get a cavity exactly, plaque can still build up on your implant and lead to other oral health concerns. Dental implants still need to be thoroughly brushed twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and low abrasive toothpaste. Floss carefully at least once a day as well.
In addition, we can recommend a good oral irrigator, especially if your implant is hard to reach while brushing or flossing. Poor habits such as nail-biting, biting pens, or grinding your teeth at night are not good for any teeth but can be especially detrimental to implants. If you have any of these bad habits, it is important to make necessary lifestyle changes to help take care of your teeth.
The time it takes to recover from a dental implantation surgery can take upwards of six months. It is important to remember that implantation surgery is a multiple-phase procedure that takes time and requires healing between phases. This mid-procedure recovery phase takes the most time. At DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care, our dentists Our doctors and our doctors take great care to make sure your dental implantation surgery is done correctly, comfortably, and as painlessly as it can be. They also provide all of the aftercare instructions you need so that you can recover as quickly as possible.
Finally, regular dental checkups to help ensure your implant is intact and continuing to benefit your oral health are essential. We understand how to treat dental implants and what to look for in a regular cleaning. If you come in twice a year, we can ensure your dental implant will stay healthy and last a lifetime. Feel free to book an appointment with us here at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care at (352) 666-9898 today. |
