What Should Patients Expect During Dental Crown Implant Treatment?
Sometimes, tooth extraction is your best option. When a tooth is too badly damaged to be saved, or you can't afford to pay for reconstructive work, tooth extraction can relieve your pain. However, having an empty socket can lead to problems in the future. Your jawbone may begin to erode as a result of your tooth loss, or your remaining teeth may begin to move out of alignment. Luckily, dental crown implants can negate the downsides associated with tooth extraction. These are three of the things dental crown implant patients can expect during their treatment:
1. Patients can choose the style of implant that works for their anatomy
Dental implants come in a few varieties. Standard implants are placed deep into the patient's jawbone, which grows around the implant over time and anchors it into place. Mini implants work the same way, but the implanted portion is smaller. Subperiosteal implants sit above a patient's jawbone, which can allow for faster healing and allow patients with less bone mass to bypass the bone grafting process. With their dentists' help, patients should select the style of implant that works best for their jaw and oral anatomy.
2. Patients will need to see their dentist several times
Dental crown implants are installed over the course of several appointments. Patients' gums and jawbones need the opportunity to heal between dental appointments, so the whole process can take over a month. Typically, the metal implant is put into place first and given time to heal. Once the jawbone has started to heal around the implant, a dental crown can be attached to it. The dental crown used for the implant procedure will be carefully made in a laboratory, using materials that closely match the appearance of the patient's other teeth.
3. Patients may experience some tenderness and discomfort throughout the process
Dentists will do their best to make sure that patients are comfortable throughout the dental implant procedure. However, even after local anesthesia has been administered, patients may still feel a sense of pressure on their jaw while their dentist puts the implant in place. It's common for patients to experience some swelling and tenderness at the implant site after the anesthesia wears off. Patients can care for their new implant at home by treating that part of their mouth gently and taking NSAIDs to relieve pain until the area has a chance to heal.
For more information about dental crown implants, contact a local dentist.
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