Understanding Dental Implant Procedures: What You Need to Know

by Elizabeth Huynh | Apr 9, 2023 | Children's Oral Hygiene, Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry

If you have a missing tooth, getting a dental implant may be the perfect solution. Whether you’ve already decided to undergo the procedure or are just exploring your options, you may have a lot of questions about dental implants. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting dental implant surgery.

What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a fake tooth that is surgically inserted into the gums to replace a missing tooth. The implant is usually made out of titanium and must be placed by an oral surgeon. It is a screw-like piece that is inserted into the jawbone and closely resembles the root of a tooth. The dentist will later attach a crown to the implant so it resembles your other natural teeth.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The length of the procedure depends on your dental health, how many teeth are involved in the procedure, which teeth are being replaced, and if a tooth needs to be extracted first. For a single tooth, the implant surgery can take around one to two hours, from applying the anesthesia to the end of the procedure. Talk to your dentist for a better estimate of how long the procedure will take.

image of dental implant Now Dental Carmichael California Better Smiles

Tooth human implant (done in 3d graphics)

The Surgery
Before the surgery, your dentist may give you a list of pre-operative instructions, which you should follow closely. The full procedure needs to be completed in two phases, with the whole process taking between six and nine months.

It is during the first phase that the dentist will surgically place the implant in your mouth. Your mouth will be numbed using local anesthesia, so you will not be able to feel a thing. The dentist will then use a drill to create a hole in the bone for the implant. The implant will be inserted into the space and the gums will be closed over the implant.

Over the following months, the implant will become securely attached to the bone. During the second phase, the implant is re-exposed using a small incision. Then, the dentist will make impressions of your mouth in order to craft the new implant crown. Once the crown is made, the dentist will place it in your mouth and, voila, the procedure is finished.

Post-Surgery Discomfort, Complications, and Care
It is completely normal to experience some discomfort following your dental implant surgery. You may experience some light bruising and swelling in the gums and soft tissues. Discomfort is typically treated with an ordinary painkiller like ibuprofen or codeine. There are some complications that you should be watchful for. Potential complications include:

Bone loss around the implant
Infection of the surrounding gums and bone
The implant failing to adhere to the bone
Your body rejecting the implant

Following the procedure, your new tooth must be cared for and checked often, just like your other teeth. Follow your dentist’s post-surgery suggestions. Continue to brush and floss every day and visit your dentist for a checkup every six months, or more often if your dentist recommends it.

For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Now Dental. Now Dental is you full service dentist in Carmichael, CA, ready to help you before you need implants and we are there for you if you do!

Choosing between Braces or Removable Aligners To Straighten Your Teeth

by Elizabeth Huynh | Aug 16, 2022 | Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry

Orthodontics, Braces or Aligners?

Which one will work better for straightening your teeth?

Get Answers Television Ads Don’t Share While Promoting Aligners as an Option to Traditional Braces
Invisible aligners commercials always say they will save you money and time when it comes to straightening your teeth. It isn’t as simple as television commercials advertise! Only an in-person visit with your dentist can determine which dental procedure is right for straightening your teeth!

Orthodontics: Working with your Dentist to Determine If Braces or Aligners Are Right For You!
If you need orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct bite issues, there are choices not available in the past. There are even choices to be made within both technologies! With so many options, smart patients compare pros, cons, costs and treatment plan length with their dentist! It is the only way to establish the best orthodontic treatment plan.

The Path to Straighter Teeth Begins With a Full Assessment Of Your Oral Health
Online assessments or video conferences cannot do the a thorough assessment necessary to determine whether braces or aligners will yield the best results or a dental patient. Your dentist will assess your overall oral health, including the health of gums and teeth. It is important to take care of cavities and periodontal issues before investing in any tooth straightening procedures. Crowns or bridges need to be part of the treatment plan.

Braces vs. Removable Aligners
Braces are made of metal brackets, which are glued to the teeth and held together using small rubber bands and wires. You can get them in colors that match your enamel, making them discrete, or a color that stands out to make a fashion statement. Removable aligners, on the other hand, are made to be invisible. They consist of aligner trays made of BPA-free clear plastic fitted to the teeth to move them gently and subtly. Now Dental uses impressions, X-rays, and pictures to create a 3-D image to configure aligner trays.

Visible Treatment vs. Concealed
The obvious benefit of removable aligners is that they are less noticeable compared to standard braces. You can only spot aligners at close range, and they may be detectable in photos. Some people may prefer invisible aligners while others want something as noticeable as braces.

Removable vs. Non-removable Aligners
Clear aligners, sometimes called “invisible braces” or “teeth aligners, come either removable or non-removeable. Some people prefer aligners as they give the wearer the freedom to take them out as they please. In addition, they do not have to worry about eating certain types of foods like those with braces do. On the other hand, some people do not like the hassle of having to take the trays in and out when eating or brushing.

Treatment Time of Braces Versus Aligners
If your aim is to complete the treatment fast, get braces as they put the teeth into the desired shape faster than removable aligners. Braces close large gaps and keep the teeth aligned more efficiently quickly.

Braces versus Invisible Aligners – Every Orthodontic Treatment Plan Is Unique
Invisalign and other invisible liners are best suited for those with mild or moderate crowding. For those with severe misalignment, braces may be the best in rotating and pulling the teeth together and holding them in position. The success rate for invisible liners depends on the user because they have to be worn for them to work. For braces, the success rate is automatic, as you do not have the option of removing them. However, you should consult your dentist or orthodontist before choosing the best option for you.

Getting Started With An Orthodontic Treatment Plan Beings with a Call to Now Dental of Carmichael, CA.
Finding out if removable or non-removable aligners are the right solution for you or your family, begins with an appointment at Now Dental! Now Dental is committed to honest, transparent and affordable dental treatment plans. Don’t be swayed by a “club” that offers what amounts to a “DIY” alignment procedure. An in-person checkup is simply crucial to finding out the best strategy and technology your unique dental issues require.

Contact Now Dental at 916-966-2099 to schedule an appointment.