Table of Contents
What are dental implants?
To make this sound easier for you, think of dental implants as artificial roots for your teeth and are usually identical to screws. These implants are used to hold the replacement teeth or bridge. They are so far the most advanced and best way to replace lost teeth especially after an injury, periodontal diseases or whichever other reason there may be. This is because the implants naturally bond with your jaws, just like the natural roots, and become a strong base for supporting the artificial teeth.
Types of dental implants
There are two major types of dental implants. These are;
- Endosteal – implants, in this case, are surgically inserted inside the jawbone. It is the most common type of dental implants. The screws or cylinders which are inserted can be used to hold even more than one prosthetic tooth.
After the implants have been placed, the artificial teeth are placed on top of. They naturally fuse to become sturdy, allowing you to use your teeth as you did before they got bad.
- Subperiosteal – a metal frame, in this case, is placed below the gum tissue. A metal framework post protrudes through the gum in order to hold the artificial teeth. These implants are an alternative for those who find it hard to use conventional dentures and their bone height is quite minimal.
Why are dental implants recommended?
Dental implants, as earlier stated, are gaining global acceptance and many people have started getting them. Along with other notable benefits, here are our top five reasons for you to get dental implant;
- Natural and comfortable fit
Dental implants are specifically designed to be like your own teeth. It is even hard for one to figure out the difference. The implants fuse with your bones and become permanent, or at least for a very long time.
They also give you the comfort of having to completely blend in with your natural teeth and avoid the discomfort associated with removable dentures. You will also get more confident in yourself, being able to smile and even join in social activities.
- Improved ability to chew food
Dentures, especially the ones which keep on sliding, can make it tough for someone to eat food comfortably. Dental implants, on the other hand, are permanent and are sturdy enough to hold the prosthetic teeth in place. This allows you to feast on your favorite meals without any restrictions.
- Long lasting
Dental implants last for a very long time as it has been placed permanently. With good care, they can even last a lifetime!
- Improved bone and dental features
Dental implants have been known to preserve your dental structure as there is no need for cutting down or trimming of adjacent teeth for a bridgework. It also preserves the bone by reducing deterioration which normally leads to a reduction in the jawbone height.
- Convenience
Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are there to stay. You will get to avoid little embarrassing moments which are usually attributed to dentures falling off and the troubles you go through to keep them in place. Dental implants will not come off due to whatsoever reason and will not also expose you to such avoidable embarrassing moments.
How successful are dental implants?
Well, generally speaking, the success rates of dental implants depend on the quality of the tooth implant you choose and also the expertise of the implant dentist. Success rates are also determined by where in the jawbone the implants are placed.
Needless to say that there is a 98% success rate for all tooth implants. The rates even go higher when you use a qualified dental implants dentist in Dubai. When correctly installed and well taken care of, dental implants are destined to be efficient for a long period of time, even for a lifetime.
Can dental implants fail?
A small percentage of dental implant patients usually have their implants backfire on them and eventually fail. Keeping in mind the number of patients who go for dental implants, then even the small percentage constitutes a large number of people.
So in order to understand the reason why dental implants can fail, it will be paramount of us to identify the two major types of dental implants failure which can occur. They are early dental implant failures and late dental implant failures. Let us have a look at the two without really getting the nitty-gritty details.
- Early dental implant failures
Early failures usually occur within the first few months of the procedure itself. During this time, mostly within the first three or four months, the bone has not really integrated with the implant and is not yet sturdy enough. The implant is also quite loose that it can even be removed.
Some of the causes of early dental implant failures can be a result of the patient’s poor healing ability, infection, allergic reaction & rejection of a foreign substance by the body, nerve or tissue damage, and as a result of a miscalculated procedure during the installation.
- Late or long term dental implant failures
Just as the name suggests, this takes place anywhere between a year to ten years before the implant starts having issues. As previously stated, dental implants should last for very many years or even a lifetime, so if at all it gets problems during the first couple of years, it means it has failed.
Some of the causing factors include; infections such as perio-implantitis, prosthetic issues such as broken screws & restorations which are fractured, and poor oral hygiene. Factors such as smoking have also been attributed to late dental implant failures.
Symptoms of a dental implant failure
As mentioned in the post, there are different causes of dental implant failures. The symptoms for all, are technically closely related. So how will you know that you have a dental implant failure? Here are a few symptoms;
- Severe pain and discomfort
- The implant seems to be loose or shifting
- Difficulty in chewing food after the standard time for healing has elapsed
- There is a gum recession around the implant
- Persistent swelling and inflammation around the implant
Who is an ideal candidate for a dental implant?
If you wish to get a dental implant, your general oral health has to be in good shape. You should also not be a very regular tobacco smoker as this might shorten the lifespan of the dental implant. Anyone, at any age, can get a dental implant. There are 90-year-olds who have had dental implants and responded so much well with them.
If you do not get dental implants, you may have to change your diet as weak teeth or other tooth replacement method would not support certain food types.
Among others, these are some of the reasons which determine whether a person is fit for dental implants or not.
- Have a missing tooth (teeth)
- Should have a fully grown jawbone
- Unable or unwilling to wear conventional dentures
- Should have an adequate bone which will hold the implant into place
- Willing to be patient for the process to be successful
- Does not have any oral complications
- Does not have health concerns which would hinder the process of installing dental implants
The process of getting dental implants: Is it painful?
Before we get into the details of the process, let us begin by assuring you that the process of installing dental implants is not a painful one. In as much as it sounds very painful, the dental implant dentist will use local anesthesia which helps you go through the process without feeling pain.
You might feel some pain or discomfort for the first few days but your dentist will prescribe for you some drugs to help suppress the pain. The process for getting a dental implant may actually involve more than one specialist, depending on the hospital you are in. This is because there are different steps which one might undergo, and all these steps require specialists.
The services of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (one who analyzes your jaw and mouth), a periodontist (treats gums and bones), and a prosthodontist (designs custom artificial teeth and fits them) are all required to ensure that the process is a success.
Before getting the dental implant, you will be subjected to a few procedures which are;
- Dental examination
Relax. You will not be required to sit in for an exam. This basically means you have to undergo a few tests such as dental X-rays and also 3D images of dental structures taken.
- Medical history review
You have to provide your doctor with all your past medical records if at all you have any chronic infections or is under any medication at the time. Your doctor may prescribe for you antibiotics a few days before the procedure itself in order to prevent any type of infections.
- Treatment plan
This process involves being taken through all that will be required of you during the healing process and being advised on how the process will be carried out. Also, depending on the number of teeth you wish to have replaced, your medication plan will also be made known to you.
Getting an implant: What to expect
After going through all your medical records, having checked your X-rays and other documents, your doctor will recommend whether you are cleared to get a dental implant. The process itself occurs in three major phases.
- Phase one
This phase involves the insertion of the implant post into your jawbone. This procedure will involve an incision made in your gums to expose the bone underneath where the implant post will go. Local anesthesia will be used so you would not have to worry about the pain.
An implant drill is used to make space for the implant post which is then inserted. After that, the gums are closed using special stitches. You are given a couple of months to heal and let your implant bond with the jawbone to make it sturdy.
- Phase two
At the second phase, the implant is reassessed and confirmed if it responded well with the body. If the result is positive, an abutment (which is simply some type of post) is placed into the implant post. The abutment goes above your gum from which an impression is taken, before being taken to the laboratory to create your own customized crown or artificial tooth.
- Phase three
When the crown is ready, it is permanently cemented to implant. The dentist makes sure that it naturally fits in with your dental structure.
How do dental implants feel?
Dental implants are just like your new set of natural teeth. They are actually no different from natural teeth in terms of structure, efficiency, and convenience. When in your mouth, you will not feel anything different between the dental implants and the natural teeth.
The bone, which supports the dental implants grow much better because the implant is just like the roots of your natural teeth.
Post-surgery effects
After the surgery and installation of the dental implants, you may encounter a few post-surgery discomforts, which are just a normal case scenario for most dental surgeries. Your doctor will, however, provide you with some painkillers to help with the pain and antibiotics to prevent further infections. Some of the common post-surgery effects are;
- You may experience some pain at the implant site
- Your gums may swell, in other cases, it might make your face to have a minor swelling as well
- Having your gums and skin bruised
- Bruises might show some minor bleeding
In case any of these persist or happen to be much more than the anticipated ones, feel free to reach out to your dentist and have them checked.
How long do dental implants take to heal?
If you are getting just one dental implant, it usually takes around an hour to have the whole process done. The time might be more if you have a number of them installed. After the dental implants have been placed, it usually takes between 4 to 6 months to heal and the bone fusing with your new implants.
The time taken to heal varies from one patient to another depending on their healing abilities. However, should it take a longer period of time to heal, you may want to contact your dentist for further assistance.
How long do dental implants hurt?
Just like in the case of any other surgery, once the anesthesia wears off, you will start experiencing some pain and discomfort. As indicated in the post, your doctor will prescribe some drugs to help ease the pain. The pain can last for around 3 to 5 days after the surgery, but not more than 10 days. Even after the pain stops, you are still required to treat your implant as delicate and maintain them well.
How to maintain dental implants
Dental implants are just like your teeth and will require you to keep good oral hygiene. Make sure to always have them cleaned – brushed, flossed, etc. in order to avoid issues such as plaque. Dental implants which are not well taken care of might be a gateway to many infections. Periodically check on your dentist to ensure that the right care is given to your dental implants and they will help you formulate a maintenance routine which can work for you.
Dentures or dental implants? Which is better?
Both dentures and dental implants work towards the same goal; restoring lost or damaged teeth, giving you your smile and confidence back. There is a difference between the two and as they say, ‘one man’s meat is another’s poison’, and so it will always end up on what the patient is really comfortable with. The key differences between these two which one should consider are;
- Comfort – dentures, especially partial dentures, can come off loose, and slip from their intended position. Some even come out completely which usually results in a lot of discomfort especially when talking or eating.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are firmly placed and cannot shift position from where they were originally placed. This will save you from the discomfort associated with dentures. Chewing with dental implants is more or less compared to chewing with your own natural teeth so you will just feel like they are your original teeth.
- The impact to your dental structure – partial dentures do not have their own roots, and so they rely on adjacent teeth for support. This can eventually damage your natural teeth, even weakening your jawbone. Dental implants have their own roots and do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, hence eliminating this problem.
- Reliability – dental implants are by far the most reliable form of tooth replacement there is at the moment. They will not let you down as they are as strong as your natural teeth. A dental implant can also act as a support base for several other prosthetic teeth.
- Durability – whereas partial dentures can last for a few months or years, dental implants are designed to be a part of you for many years, if not for life.
Any downsides for dental implants?
If not properly placed, dental implants can have serious negative effects on your mouth. It can bring about other infections which can ultimately affect your other teeth. Some patients have bodies which do not respond well to dental implants and can have the bodies rejecting the implants.
This can, however, be avoided if you clearly come clean with your dentist and let them know of any allergies you might have or any past medical records which might make dental implants unfavorable for you. The cost of a dental implant in Dubai is around $5,000. This is a rather high price of which in many cases, your insurance will not pay for it.
Why are dental implants that expensive?
The costs are definitely high for dental implants, but all factors considered, you might not consider them really expensive afterward. The process itself for getting a dental implant is enough to create a dent on your pocket.
But why? Taking the numerous tests one undergoes before the surgery itself out of the equation first, let us look at the items used. The implants are crafted from pure titanium which is shaped into a screw in order to be placed inside the jawbone. The process for crafting and refining the titanium needs a lot of expertise.
The crown, which is placed on top of the implant, is uniquely designed for each individual after tests have been done by their dentist. The process of molding and crafting the crown to fit your tooth structure is quite costly. Now consider the process for getting the dental implants, from the time you step in the hospital.
As indicated in this post, a minimum of three professionals handle your case until you get your dental implant ready. This would definitely have the cost of the entire process high.
What are the alternatives for dental implants?
While there are other options for tooth replacements, many people still opt for dental implants. Dental implants might also not be the ultimate choice for everyone, because of different reasons. Apart from not being able to afford them, some patients might not have enough bone to support the implants.
Dental implants have a long process and will take a lot of time before they are actually good enough for use, not everyone will be patient enough to wait that long and they end up opting for options which will take a shorter time to be useful. Other alternatives to dental implants include;
- Full dentures – dentures are ideal for those people who have lost nearly all their natural teeth. They are majorly made of strong plastic or porcelain for high-end versions. The prosthetic teeth are attached to a support base for extra comfort in the mouth. They are easily removable in order to be cleaned or before going to bed.
Problem with this is that they are not permanently placed and so you will have some discomfort due to the shifting. You may not be able to eat and enjoy certain foods with dentures as well.
- Partial dentures – partial dentures are more like full dentures, only partial. This is ideal for those people who have not lost all their natural teeth but have lost quite a number. The concept behind it is closely related to the full dentures, only that that metal clasps are attached to the adjacent natural teeth.
- Dental bridges – dental bridges are more like dentures but fixed. They are also made of hard porcelain and compliment the surrounding natural teeth. They are basically prosthetic teeth which are supported by crowns and are used to cover gaps left by removed natural teeth.
Dental bridges are thought to be better than dentures as they are more durable and stable. One of the challenges facing dental bridges is that they can add pressure to the surrounding natural teeth hence some bit of discomfort. Moreover, some natural teeth may need to be altered in order to make room for the dental bridges, which is not always the best move.
How soon after extraction can you get an implant?
Sometimes, it can be heartbreaking to learn that your tooth has to be extracted and when you ask for a dental implant you might be told to come back after a few weeks. You would really not want that. Immediate dental implants are now possible in Dubai.
You can get a dental implant carefully placed after an extraction. Instead of having to wait for a couple of months before a custom crown has been made for you, your dentist can add a temporary crown to cover up the gap, and you will walk out smiling.
What can you not eat after dental implant surgery?
Some people only usually take a few hours before they start eating after surgery. It is, however, advisable to wait until the anesthesia wears off before you embark on eating. One thing about getting dental implants is that they need one to be patient.
You may start by eating soft meals such as yogurt, scrambled eggs, etc. Avoid hard foods at least for the first couple of days. Eating hard foods before the implant has fully healed or fused with your bone will result in more pain, more unnecessary bleeding, and eventually will weaken your implant bringing forth other complications. After the implant has healed, you will be able to eat as you did before the surgery, if not better.
How long before you continue with your normal schedules after implant surgery?
Dental implants surgeries will not affect the way you handle your everyday responsibilities. You should be able to go back to work or school the following day after the surgery. Only in a few cases, that patients who have undertaken the surgery will not be able to go to work the following day or have to ask for time off.
Take away
Of all tooth replacement methods out there, dental implants are so far the most recommended. Apart from blending in with your tooth structures and restoring your smile & confidence, dental implants are the most durable method. If you are looking to get dental implants in Dubai, be sure to visit the best dental clinic in town, for the best services.
Get the Perfect Smile with Dental Implants in Dubai
Losing a tooth can badly disturb your life as you will suffer difficulty both in eating and speaking. So, if you are suffering from missing teeth than our dental implants in Dubai can bring your vibrant, beautiful and white smile back.
This is the most reliable and affordable solution for a perfect smile. This procedure is done by our specialized and professional implant dentists. We guarantee that you will leave the clinic with a perfect beautiful smile.
Now you do not have to dream of having a perfect smile as we will make it a reality. With our state of the art equipment, we are able to conduct multiple implants in one session thus giving our patients convenience to have their natural white teeth immediately.
Or
email us at [email protected]
Why should you get an Implant?
Previously having beautiful, perfect and natural white teeth was only a dream and the person has to live each day with missing teeth. But now the dental implants have made this dream a reality and we proudly offer this service to all our clientele in Dubai. So you should get this implant if:
- You want to get your permanent and natural smile back.
- You do not want to face any sort of difficulty while eating and speaking.
- Want to enhance your facial esthetics.
- Do not want to have inconvenient and uncomfortable dentures.
Why Choose Us?
At Glow Medicals, we specialize in providing the best quality and durable dental implants in Dubai. All of our dentists are qualified and have years of experience in this industry. They have successfully performed dental implants on 1000+ clients. They possess profound knowledge and expertise on different types of gums and have always given the remarkable results.
We strongly believe that dental implants are more than just replacing the missing teeth. It is also about giving you an absolutely stunning and vibrant smile. Therefore, all implants at Glow Medicals are done by the team of aesthetic dentists and implantologists.
Painless Procedure
Dental implants are an extremely painless procedure and our dentists are trained to carry out this procedure in a way that is relaxing for the patient. So getting a same day dental implants is now possible in Dubai.
Our clinics have a soothing and fresh ambiance that plays a major role in calming our first-time nervous patients.
So make an appointment with one of our specialized dentists if you have missing teeth.
If you have any queries or you need further details contact us at 04- 456- 4889 & 04-456-1946
or
send an email at [email protected].