Dental implants serve a single purpose: to completely replace any number of teeth that are injured, diseased, badly decayed or missing.
A dental implant is a metal cylinder that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant does not replace any teeth on its own. Instead it provides a secure point of attachment for a crown, bridge, or complete denture. Multiple implants are typically required for prostheses that replace multiple teeth.
Dental implants are an extremely common procedure thanks in no small part to the treatment’s 95% rate of success. Ultimately, whether you’ll receive the best dental implant in St. Cloud, MN depends on many choices you can make. You can increase your own chance of success by choosing to receive the right type of implant, selecting the right dentist to perform the procedure, and taking proper care of your oral health after surgery.
How to Choose the Best Type of Dental Implant
There are two major types of dental implants: endosteal, and subperiosteal. Both have been deemed safe and effective by the American Dental Association. Whether you should choose one over the other depends on the condition of your jawbone.
Endosteal is the more common major type of implant. It is embedded within and fuses to the jawbone, and is shaped like a small screw. Endosteal implants are commonly made of titanium, as the metal is strong, lightweight, biocompatible, corrosion-resistant, and easy to customize. Zirconia may alternatively be used because the ceramic is bacteria-resistant, hypoallergenic, and less visible through the gum tissue.
Endosteal implants can take one of two forms: conventional, and mini. Conventional implants are longer and provide superior support and stability. Like their name implies, mini implants are shorter. They are preferred when the oral cavity lacks sufficient depth or bone density to safely contain a full-length conventional implant.
Subperiosteal is the less common major type of implant. It is embedded beneath the gumline, but does not penetrate the jawbone. Subperiosteal implants are preferable for patients who have shallow jawbones or low bone density. They are also suitable for patients who aren’t willing to undergo a bone augmentation procedure that would prepare their jaws for endosteal implant surgery.
How to Get The Best Result From Your Dental Implant
Dental implant success rates depend on several factors. The patient’s age, current oral health, and overall physical condition all contribute toward the likelihood of a favorable outcome. These factors aren’t entirely under your control, although there is still much you can do to get the best outcome.
Taking proper care of your implant won’t guarantee a successful outcome, but it does make one far likelier. Here are the implant aftercare tips any dentist would recommend following surgery:
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Use a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles
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Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth
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Floss daily
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Avoid hard, chewy and sticky foods
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Avoid alcohol and tobacco
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Continue visiting your dentist regularly
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Get sufficient rest, keep your head elevated, eat soft foods, and avoid rinsing your mouth during the 24 hours following surgery
Outside of choosing the right type implant and taking good care of it, there is one big thing you can do to ensure your best chance at success.
Choose the Right Dentist
A blog post cannot provide the knowledge you would need in order to choose the best dental implant for your unique oral condition. Only a skilled Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry is qualified to make that call, and they will do so after thorough examination of your teeth and careful inspection of X-ray images. They will study the state of your skull and jawbone, determine how many posts are necessary, and consider your aesthetic needs, cost and insurance.
In fewer words, your dentist has a complicated job. That’s why you should choose one you feel confident about. If you know any friends or family who have good things to say about their own dentists, then their opinions are worth considering. You may also judge implant specialists according to their qualifications and experience.
Allow us to be so bold as to offer Centrasota Dental’s own Dr. Robert Congdon as an example of a good implant specialist. After graduating from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1998, Dr. Congdon entered a three-year specialty training program to become a prosthodontist: a type of dentist who specializes in treating defects and dysfunction of facial structures, including restoration and rehabilitation of teeth. In addition to general dentistry, Dr. Congdon has devoted his career to providing the best surgical placement and restoration of dental implants St. Cloud has to offer.
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If you live in the greater St. Cloud, MN area and would like to learn more about how you can get the best dental implant, then we welcome you to contact Centrasota Dental today. Dr. Congdon and our team are always available to discuss our wide range of routine and cosmetic dentistry services.
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