One of the “joys” of getting older is that we sometimes encounter serious dental problems. Occasionally, a tooth must be extracted.
In days gone by, our options were limited. If there were stable teeth on either side of the one pulled, a bridge could be constructed for the empty space. A partial plate was also an option for several missing teeth.
Today, dental implants provide a more permanent solution. This is basically a small screw implanted into the bone in the missing space. The screw is covered with a small metal cap or top and the gum is stitched close.
I had two dental implants year. Any patient who can tolerate the normal method of numbing gums won’t have any difficulty with the procedure itself. Unfortunately, the surgeon cannot give me anything that includes epinephrine and any numbing agent without “epi” must be reapplied often during the procedure. Healing was more difficult from that than from the implant itself.
Once the implant is completed, the oral surgeon will prescribe pain medication if it is needed. I was fine with 800 mg. of Ibuprofen. A couple of follow-up visits for quick X-rays were necessary and then a wait of six months. At that point, the oral surgeon checked to see if the implant had permanently attached itself and was stable. Once deemed suitable, I went to my regular dentist for the restorative crowns that attached to the implants. The results are terrific!
A dental implant is a permanent solution to that hole left in the mouth following an extraction. You don’t have to worry about it falling out or needing adjustments, as a bridge or dentures could do. It is expensive, but it might be the best money you ever spent in terms of your smile and
