Dental Implant Temporary Tooth
Dental implants are a wonder of modern dentistry. At this point whether you are missing all of your teeth, or one is cracked, there is a near perfect implant that can take the place and fill back in with your smile. Dental implants are long lasting, but they take some time to get made and set in your jaw. What sort of options are available while you await your dental implant? Are there temporary tooth options?
What is a Dental Implant?
When someone loses a tooth or multiple teeth, it can be very difficult. Losing teeth has direct correlations to diet, health, and mental health. Thankfully, modern dentistry has developed several methods for replacing teeth, and a very popular one is Dental Implants.
Dental Implants
Dental Implants are synthetic teeth which are inserted into a patient’s mouth. Dental Implants can be made of various materials including titanium, metal, Porcelain, Gold, or Zirconia.
Implant Process
The process of getting Dental Implants takes awhile, which is why some seek temporary options in the interim. First patient’s have a consultation with a Dentist and Dental Care team. A dental care team involves your primary dentist, a dental surgeon, and a dental hygienist. When your care team and you have decided on an option for implants, they will schedule the initial surgery. The initial surgery will involve the placement of a dental anchor. An anchor will be placed into your jaw, through the gumline of an area with missing teeth. Then the team and patient have to wait while the anchor fuses to the jaw and becomes set, a process called osseointegration.
How long do Dental Implants take?
Some time after the initial surgery, anywhere from a couple weeks to months later, an implant can be attached to the dental anchor. The time will be determined by the patient’s overall health, their age, their dental health history, and any other medical conditions. Diabetics or immunocompromised individuals may take longer to heal from this kind of surgery than others. Age may also effect the timeline, as younger people tend to heal from these kinds of surgeries faster. Before beginning the process of Dental Implants, discuss the timeline with your team and see what realistically you should expect for your procedure.
Temporary Tooth Dental Implants
* Flipper Denture- This is a temporary tooth that attaches to your teeth through a retainer like fitting. This will fill in a single tooth and no one will be the wiser. It allows you to eat the foods you love, smile wide, and can be cleaned while wearing or after removal.
* Essix Retainer- Picture this like an invisalign retainer, but with a tooth colored area or artificial tooth inserted. A clear liner covers all your teeth, and the tooth section blends in with your smile. This can be cleaned every morning and night, while your practice your normal dental care routine.
* Temporary Bridge- Bridges replace a couple teeth in a row so long as there is healthy dental material on either side. The attachment is made of any number of materials that function just like your regular teeth. It can be attached or removed in the dentist’s office, making it a great temporary option while you await implants.
* Temporary Dental Implant- It will depend on your situation, but in some cases and implant can be immediately inserted. This will depend on your jaw and gum health.
* Temporary Dentures- In some cases, where the patient needs complete tooth replacement, temporary dentures may be used. These kind of dentures are not as pristine as a set of implants of permanent dentures, but they allow the patient to live their life in the meantime.
What your Dental Care Team can do for you
Your dental care team is a comprehensive force of knowledge to advocate for your dental health. If you are concerned with the timeline of your implant procedure, discuss temporary options with them. They will be able to advise you more fully on which options will work for your particular situation. Your Dentist is your primary resource, with years of experience and a full record of your dental health first hand. They and your dental hygienist can work together to make sure you are in complete control of your dental health and your daily care routines. Building this foundation will help to protect your teeth, and your new implant, from any further problems down the line. Your Dental Surgeon has seen all kinds of implants and replacement options, and can guide you through this process through experience and confidence.