What Do Changes in Dental Implant Technology Mean for You?

If you have a missing tooth, you have many choices for tooth replacement -- including dental implants, the most stable and efficient of all the dental prosthetic options. Dental implants are a remarkable advancement in dental technology, but they may not be for everyone, as even the most advanced procedures can be limiting or invasive.

Although conventional dental implants are one of the greatest inventions in dentistry in recent years, the dental implant procedure may not be ideal for some candidates.

Some don't like the idea of waiting almost a year to have their tooth replaced. Nor is it for the faint of heart -- fearful patients may not be open to the idea of having dental implant surgery. While local anesthesia is used to prevent pain, patients often have discomfort as the dental implant heals. All of these factors may keep patients from replacing their missing teeth, which can lead to other dental problems down the line!

Improvements in Implants

Luckily, one of the best things to come along in dentistry just got better. New dental technology has improved the dental implant procedure, and dentists literally have the process down to a science! Patients no longer have to wait to replace their missing tooth -- now the dental implant, post and dental crown can be set in just one visit. With immediate dental implants, you don't need to live with a gap in your teeth or wear a fake temporary cap while you wait for the dental implant to heal. And with single-visit dental implants becoming more successful, more patients are inquiring about this procedure.

Using an ICAT Machine, your dentist prepares your dental implant surgery through 3-D imaging. Dentists plan the same-day procedure through a virtual mock-up of your mouth, which eliminates cutting through the gums to find the bone. This, in turn, means less pain and healing time for the patient, and there's no need for a follow-up visit to complete the treatment! During the planning stages, your prosthetic tooth is made in a lab, and will be ready in time for your dental surgery. This amazing procedure bypasses the osseointregration period, where the implant fuses to the bone. Although the implant still needs to heal, it can do so with the dental crown attached, and you can go on with your life as usual!



The Micro Mini

Mini-implants are the new fashion in implant technology. Used primarily for dentures, a series of mini-implants are placed through the gums, and their posts are used to anchor the appliance into place. Mini-implants mean less pain and healing time, and normally cost less than traditional dental implants. These cutting edge dental implants also don't need to wait on the healing process for the final step -- patients can start wearing their replacement teeth right away.

Traditional dental implants once meant having to pay for a new dental appliance -- but with mini-implants, patients don't need to replace their dentures. Existing dentures can be fitted to attach to the posts, enabling patients to return home with a full set of teeth immediately after their surgery. As mini-implants gain popularity, they are now being used to anchor such restorations as a dental crown and dental bridge as well!

Explore Your Options

If you have the time and patience, then traditional dental implants might be for you. But if you want more -- or less -- out of the dental implant experience, discuss your options with your dentist. With one of the most innovative procedures in modern dentistry, you can have a beautiful smile that will last you a lifetime!



Source: http://www.1800dentist.com/what-do-changes-in-dental-implant-technology-mean-for-you/



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