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Dental implants are widely use by dentists to anchor false teeth in the jaw. These implements can be a viable solution for many people suffering from tooth loss for a variety of reasons. For that reason, many people will eventually be confronted with a situation where a tooth is lost to an injury or medical condition. Replacing the tooth within a short time frame is imperative to prevent the loss of additional teeth. For that reason, it is important to understand what a dental implant is, how it works, who it can help and more.

Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about dental implants.

• What does a dental implant do? Dental implants are small – usually titanium – screws that serve as a root to anchor a false tooth in the jaw bone. One dental implant is used in the restoration of one tooth. People with multiple lost teeth may want to consider dental bridges or dentures as an alternative. Dental implants can also be used to anchor over-dentures.

• How long do dental implants last? Dental implants can last for well over a decade if taken care of properly. Proper dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly, is important to keep the surrounding oral area healthy. Failure to do so can lead to infection and tooth loss.

• Do dental implants hurt? Depending on the specific case, dental implant surgery can be painful, but most patients opt for general anesthesia or sedation to dodge the pain. Pain medication can ease discomfort during the recovery process.

• How will the dental implant look? Dental implant technology has grown very advanced and false teeth can be matched to the color of existing teeth for a more natural look. Still, the overall appearance of false teeth will greatly depend on the level of dental hygiene applied.

• Who shouldn’t get dental implants? Dental implant procedures are relatively routine and generally don’t result in any complications. Even so, people who suffer from serious medical conditions, like cancer, may not be suitable for the procedure. Also, people who are heavy drinkers and those who smoke tobacco products have a greater occurrence of complications and may not be good candidates for the procedure.

• How does bone loss occur? When tooth loss occurs due to an injury, extraction or a medical condition, bone surrounding the former tooth’s root may disintegrate. The rate of loss, called bone resorption, can be particularly high in the first few months after a tooth is lost. Whenever possible, dental implants should be fitted as soon as possible following the loss or extraction to limit the amount of bone loss that occurs.

• What if there isn’t enough bone to set the dental implant? When not enough bone exists to anchor a dental implant, two basic solutions are possible. Bone grafting takes a piece of bone from somewhere else on the body and uses it to fill the gap and anchor the implant. Another option, called sinus augmentation, can be used in the upper jaw above the back teeth. This method involves creating new bone in the sinus to be used to anchor the dental implant.

• How long does treatment take? A dental implant procedure can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to complete. However, multiple visits may be required for adjustments.