When you lose a tooth, it not only impedes your ability to eat and chew, but it can also compromise the beauty of your smile. Thankfully, there are clinical solutions to replace missing teeth, restoring you to full functionality and a confident appearance. Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, offering natural-looking and long-lasting results. Our practice is pleased to provide dental implants to patients in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding area.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium rods that function as artificial tooth roots. The implants are surgically inserted into the jaw, where they fuse with the surrounding bone through osseointegration. Once healed, these implants provide a firm foundation for replacement teeth to be placed.
On top of the implant, an abutment is placed, a connective piece, to anchor a dental prosthesis. This prosthesis may be a crown, bridge, or even a full denture, custom-designed to match the look and feel of your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Getting Dental Implants
There are several reasons why dental implants are the preferred method for replacing missing teeth:
They are made to look and behave just like your natural teeth.
Implants prevent bone deterioration, protecting you from unwanted changes to your facial appearance.
They allow you to maintain the integrity of your bone structure following tooth loss.
Unlike bridges, implants preserve the health of surrounding and adjacent teeth.
Unlike dentures, implants will not cause any slipping or irritation of the gums.
With proper oral hygiene, dental implants can last 10 years or more.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss, and dental implants are the best option for the vast majority. To determine your eligibility for a safe and successful dental implant procedure, the first step is scheduling a one-on-one consultation with one of our experienced surgeons.
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What Makes a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
During an initial consultation, your surgeon will carefully evaluate your teeth, gums, and jaw, verifying your candidacy for dental implant surgery. The best candidates:
- Are in good health overall, without any untreated periodontal disease.
- Have adequate jawbone or are willing to have a bone graft performed.
- Are missing one or more teeth or anticipate having one or more teeth extracted.
Our Process for Dental Implants
The first step in your dental implant journey is a consultation. During this one-on-one appointment with one of our highly-trained oral surgeons, you will have a chance to learn more about treatment options and ask any questions you may have about the process. Your doctor will also verify your eligibility for a safe, successful procedure.
In some cases, you may need to have preparatory services to ensure your mouth is ready for dental implants. Common examples include bone grafting and the removal of unhealthy teeth.
The initial dental implant placement is followed by several months of healing, after which you will return for the placement of your abutment, a connective piece that attaches to your permanent prosthesis, which completes your dental restoration.
The Dental Implant Procedure
On the day of your implant placement, you will receive a warm welcome from our patient care team. We will lead you back to a private, comfortable treatment room, and then administer anesthesia. Your comfort and safety are top priorities throughout dental implant placement. The process usually takes one to two hours in total. Your doctor will carefully place implants along with temporary replacement teeth, allowing you to maintain a confident smile until your implants have healed enough for the final placement of your custom prosthetic by your dentist.
Recovery and Aftercare After Dental Implant Surgery
For most patients, recovery following dental implant placement is fairly mild. You may need to take two or three days to rest and heal, after which you should feel ready to resume normal school and work activities. We advise steering clear of strenuous exercise for up to a month.
While some discomfort can be expected as your implants heal, these symptoms are easy to manage with both prescribed and over-the-counter medications. We also recommend sticking to soft foods and liquids until your mouth begins to heal, transitioning back to a regular diet as you feel able.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Can I Eat While the Implants Heal?
For the first several days, we recommend adhering to a diet of soft foods and liquids. Some options include yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, flakey fish, soft bread, rice, and broth. As you feel able, you may transition back to a normal diet, though it remains important to minimize your exposure to spicy and inflammatory foods, as well as avoiding anything crunchy, sticky, or hard.
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What Are the Risks Associated with Dental Implant Surgery?
As with any surgery, dental implant placement carries some risk. The risk level for this surgery is minor and can be mediated further by choosing a qualified surgeon and following aftercare instructions carefully. The biggest risk is infection, which you can avoid by following the instructions we provide before discharge.
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How Long Will the Implants Last?
Dental implants are made to last a long time, and with the right maintenance, they may last a lifetime. Caring for your dental implants means brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist for a checkup at least twice a year.
You Can Rely on the Team at OMS Nashville
At OMS Nashville, our surgeons boast decades of experience and a long record of impressive results. Our practice is committed to using advanced technology to promote the best patient experience. We are known for our high level of clinical skill and for performing dental implant procedures regularly. OMS Nashville is pleased to provide several convenient locations throughout Middle Tennessee.
What Are My Options for Dental Prostheses?
There are many options for artificial replacement teeth; all custom-tailored to match the look of your existing teeth. Some of the options for dental prostheses include:
A Crown
A crown is typically recommended when you only need to replace a single missing or damaged tooth.
Bridges
A fixed dental bridge may be advised to replace two or more missing teeth. Bridges can be anchored with just two or three implants.
Complete Prosthesis
The All-on-4® treatment concept involves utilizing a full dental prosthesis to replace all teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. To provide support, only a small number of implants are required, strategically placed in the jaw.
Schedule a Consultation with OMS Nashville
Dental implants can give you a second chance at a confident smile. To learn more about dental implant options, schedule a consultation with OMS Nashville.
