There is no restoration that can completely replace your original teeth, but if you have lost your teeth due to disease or accident, then dental implants should be the best choice among the various restorative methods. In layman’s terms, dental implants are implants made of artificial materials that are surgically placed in the alveolar bone of the missing tooth area to replace the tooth root and then used as a basis to restore the missing tooth. A dental implant is actually a restoration consisting of an implant and an upper denture supported by the implant. It realistically mimics the natural tooth, restores most of the chewing function, has better retention and is more comfortable, without plastic abutments and without the hassle of daily removal and cleaning. What is a dental implant restoration? A dental implant is a tooth root made of artificial material that is surgically implanted into the jawbone and then a denture is made on top of it after it has healed with the jawbone. Since dental implants (commonly known as dental implants) rely on implants for retention and support and do not require adjacent teeth as abutments, they are the newest and most advanced method of treating missing teeth internationally. With the artificial implant-supported denture, patients are more comfortable and chewing efficiency is restored to a level close to that of real teeth, bringing the same look, feel and function of real teeth, helping you to get rid of the frustration and embarrassment of missing teeth and regain a confident and comfortable life. What is the success rate of implantation? Since the application of implant technology began in 1950, the success rate has continued to improve due to advances in medicine and materials science. At present, the success rate of dental implants can reach 94% or even higher, using the five-year success rate as the clinical evaluation standard, and it is believed that the success rate will be further improved in the future. In foreign countries and economically developed regions in China, dental implants are preferred for dental veneers after tooth loss. Is there any pain or danger in dental implant surgery? Generally speaking, dental implant surgery is a minor alveolar surgery, similar to tooth extraction, using local anesthesia, which is minimally invasive and can be eaten after surgery with minimal pain. The implant is usually placed in a few minutes to an hour. Dental implants do not have any adverse effects on the human body due to the use of biomaterials that are highly compatible with the human body. Even if the osseointegration of the implant fails, the implant can be removed and reimplanted after the wound has healed, or replaced with a regular denture. Therefore, even if the implant denture fails, the consequences are not terrible. What are the commonly used materials for dental implants? The commonly used implant material is mainly titanium, and the coating is also based on titanium or titanium alloy. The physical and chemical properties of titanium are known for its light weight, resistance to oxidation, high strength and good processing properties. Titanium is a biomaterial that is used in a wide range of medical applications, such as artificial bone and joints, heart stents, cardiac pacemakers, dental implants and other bone implants. How long does the whole process of implantation take? The treatment and restoration of artificial dental implants is roughly divided into three stages: (1) First, pre-operative examination and pre-operative treatment. (1) Pre-operative examination and treatment, such as extraction of particularly loose teeth, root remnants, dental caries, treatment of periodontal disease and removal of bad dentures, modification and correction of bad occlusal relationship, etc. The time required for this stage varies from one or two days to two or three months, depending on the individual treatment. (2) Implant surgery stage. Your surgeon surgically places the implant in the bone according to a preoperative design. It takes about 30 minutes to one hour to place an implant. (3) Four to six months after surgery, a permanent crown or denture is replaced or fitted. Permanent crowns are usually made of porcelain, which is a good texture, realistic color, comfortable and beautiful, satisfactory restoration of function, and durable. What are the discomforts of the implant procedure? Modern anesthesia techniques and good postoperative care measures can minimize patient discomfort. The intra-oral wound heals in about 7 to 10 days. During the healing period, care needs to be taken to clean the wound area promptly and to avoid chewing hard objects. Many patients feel that the discomfort of the implant placement procedure is a little less than that of a tooth extraction. Will dental implants be as strong and durable as real teeth? Studies have shown that many dental implants are actually more durable than real teeth. Studies have shown that dental implants achieve 100% restoration of chewing efficiency over removable dentures. With the advent of dental implants, patients with missing teeth are finally able to eat the foods they were afraid to eat and enjoy the pleasures of a culinary life. It is worth mentioning that the implant lacks rich nerve endings receptors like natural teeth, so it is more vulnerable to abnormal chewing forces, which can affect the longevity of the implant. Is it possible to perform a temporary restoration after implant placement? It takes about 3 to 6 months for the implant to achieve complete osseointegration with the surrounding bone tissue after implant placement. During this period, it is important to avoid the presence of any weight-bearing bodies in the implant area that interfere with the repair of the bone tissue, so that the implant passes through this period of osseointegration quietly, which will facilitate the future stability of the implant. Therefore, it is generally considered best to leave temporary restorations alone. How long do dental implants last? How long a dental implant will last is the first concern of the patient and also of the implantologist. Generally speaking, dental implants can be used for a long time after implantation as long as they are used with care. In the past, it was considered a success condition to have an implant retention rate of 85% for 5 years and 80% for 10 years, but nowadays the requirement is higher. The longest used dental implant is now 48 years old. What are the conditions for dental implants? In the past, the limitations of implant prosthetics were greater. With the continuous development of implant prosthetics, its superiority and its success in long-term clinical practice, the indications for implants have been broadened. In the early days of implant denture, it was mainly used for patients without teeth, but now it has developed to the point that any missing teeth can be restored by implants. At the same time, it is suitable for patients who have difficulty in retaining the denture due to various reasons, or for those who cannot be restored by traditional methods due to the influence of psychological factors. In addition to patients with normal oral conditions, the following cases are also possible: (1) Insufficient bone in the alveolar bone, which can be solved by bone grafting. (2) Problems with the maxillary sinus and mandibular canal, implants can be guided by radiographs and CT. Spiral CT can guide the direction more accurately. Select the appropriate implant length, and the exact angle of implantation. (3) Implantation is performed immediately after tooth extraction. (4) Overdenture restoration can be used for patients with insufficient economic conditions. (5) Implant restoration is also possible for jaw bone defects, facial tissue and organ defects. Are dental implants expensive? The cost of dental implants depends on the number of dental implants and the type of implant as well as the type of restoration above the implant. Of course, if bone grafting or other treatments are required, the cost will be more. As for the exact cost, it varies from region to region and you can ask your local dental implantologist for detailed pricing. In conclusion, the cost of implant restoration is usually higher. However, the implant restoration will bring about a change in facial appearance and improved chewing efficiency. What problems may occur with dental implants? In rare cases, there is poor healing between the implant and the bone, which can lead to loosening and loss of the dental implant. If infection occurs in the implant area, it may spread to other areas such as the maxillary sinus. When implants are placed in the posterior region of the lower jaw, there is a risk of nerve damage. There is a possibility of varying degrees of pain, edema or bruising after implant surgery. Am I a candidate for implant restoration? Usually, a healthy person who can undergo conventional tooth extraction and oral surgery can consider implant restorations. Patients with specific chronic diseases such as diabetes, uncontrolled heart disease and hypertension, blood disorders, osteoporosis, and oral cancer requiring radiation therapy are not suitable for implant restorations immediately. In addition, patients who cannot maintain good oral hygiene conditions such as smoking and alcohol abuse are also not suitable. However, it should be noted that implant dentures are not limited by age, and many elderly patients who suffer from missing teeth can also share the benefits of implant dentures. In short, your dentist will have to evaluate your medical condition thoroughly before he or she can develop a treatment plan that is suitable for you. Do I need to be hospitalized for dental implants? Most parts of the surgical treatment for dental implants can be performed in the general dental treatment chair in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia. If necessary, preoperative oral or intravenous sedation medication can be used to control nervousness and eliminate fear of the procedure, making it smoother when performed on an outpatient basis. Of course, there are some cases that require hospitalization, such as patients who need more bone grafting or implants and are in poor physical condition. They can receive better care under inpatient conditions, and changes in their condition can be detected and treated in a timely manner. What should I pay attention to after implant surgery? Although oral implant surgery is not a major surgery, post-operative care is very important, otherwise the wound infection will lead to the failure of implant surgery. The following issues should be noted after the implant surgery: 1. The patient should eat a semi- or full-fluid diet on the day after the surgery; 2. The patient should not brush his teeth for 24 hours after the surgery to avoid stimulating the wound; 3. 4, good oral hygiene is an important guarantee for the success of artificial dental implants, so patients should do effective oral cleaning on time. Therefore, patients should do effective oral cleaning on time. Rinse with mouthwash several times a day to avoid infection; 5. Observe the situation of the implant and the trauma at all times and solve the problems in time; 6. Do not eat too hard food within 3 months after surgery to prevent excessive stress on the implant.