It is estimated that more than 170 million Americans are missing at least one tooth in their mouths. That’s an awful lot of people who are either living with the idea of missing teeth – or looking for a viable solution to change that.
There are many options when it comes to repairing a broken smile. Some patients elect to get a dental bridge installed, which fills in the gaps with authentic-looking but fake teeth. Other people instead select dental crowns or dentures, both of which can create a smile that looks brand new again.
Then there are millions of clients all over the country and all over the world who want to have a tooth implant when one of their natural teeth falls out. This is because the benefits of tooth implants are numerous and modern dentistry has created implants that look legitimately like the real thing. In fact, even people who have lived their entire lives close to patients can’t even tell the difference between tooth implants and the real thing.
But is it possible to get a tooth implant without resorting to surgery? Thankfully, the answer is yes. The world of dentistry can now provide a tooth implant that looks completely realistic while not requiring any sort of surgery.
What Is A Tooth Implant?
In its most basic sense, a tooth implant is a replacement that looks like a natural tooth, made from metal and screw-like posts (often made with titanium) that function like real ones. Tooth implants are typically ideal for people who are looking to avoid certain oral health alternatives like dentures or dental bridgework that is often painful, doesn’t always fit, and costs a lot of money.
The type of tooth implant surgery used for a patient depends on many different factors, such as the type of implant being used and condition of the jawbone.
In the end, a tooth implant will do a lot of good for many damaged mouths. Most importantly, it will create a strong support system for the new teeth after the bones heal tightly around the implant.
Why Are Tooth Implants Done?
What is it that draws people to tooth implants? Why do they attract so many dental patients every single year?
The number of people who could receive the benefits of tooth implants is large but it’s mostly ideal for patients who:
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Have a jawbone that is fully developed and grown
- Have multiple oral health issues
- Want to improve the quality of their speech
- Want to improve the quality of their chewing and swallowing
- Have strong bone structure to secure the implants
- Are willing and able to have bone graft procedures performed on them
As you can imagine, there are millions of people who can and do receive tooth implants often.
But what about people who want to experience the joys of tooth implants without going through the somewhat stressful process of having surgery? What are their options?
Non-Surgical Tooth Implants
The artificial teeth that are often accompanied with tooth implants are usually installed in a patient’s mouth via surgery. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are now non-surgery tooth implants options available for many patients. What are the benefits of taking this route when you are getting tooth implants? There are many, including:
- A safe and predictable
- A shorter healing time that traditional tooth implant surgery
- No stitching or cutting is required with non-surgical tooth implants
- A lot less discomfort following the procedure
- A shorter operation time
The entire process of non-surgical tooth implants starts with a detailed, in-depth, complex 3D imagining of the mouth and bones within it. This allows a patient’s oral health medical team to clearly and accurately assess the bone structure and the strength of the jawbones.
Via 3D imaging, your dentist will be able to correctly map out the strongest bone in your mouth and can create a plan that will create the strongest implants and the fastest recovery time.
Luckily, the entire procedure is very fast when you take out the need for surgery. In fact, it typically takes less than 20 minutes for two tooth implants. Plus, it is performed with the same sort of anesthesia that is used when fixing tooth decay or extracting a tooth. That means a patient is always comfortable and feeling very good during the entire procedure.
Medical Science Makes Tooth Implants Without Surgery Possible
Over the years, the technology used in oral health science has only gotten better and better. Because of that, dentists are now able to fully implant a replacement tooth without the used of invasive scalpels and other surgical instruments.
Newfound techniques and instruments allow medical experts to create a sit in the mouth with the smallest possible opening. Dentists can use the space left behind to place the dental implant when a tooth is extracted. The exact position of the tooth implant can be found accurately thanks to these cutting-edge techniques and devices that didn’t exist just a few years ago.
When you receive tooth implants without surgery, the surgical trauma inflicted on a patient is minimal. Also gone are the pain, swelling, and bleeding that commonly go along with surgical implantation of tooth implants.
Are There Risks?
There are risks with every dental procedure but they have become far smaller over the years. However, your dentist will probably warn you of a few risks and issues to be on the lookout for after you receive your tooth implant, whether via surgery or not.
The most problems related to tooth implants include:
- An infection that spring forth at the sight of the implant
- Damage or some injury to areas of the mouth, including damage to other teeth or the blood vessels in the mouth
- Some patients can experience minor to mild nerve pain, which can lead to pain and tingling and numbness in the natural teeth, gums, lips, and other parts of the mouth
- Some patients also complain of sinus problems following their tooth implant, particularly if the implants are set in the upper jaw
What To Expect After Receiving Your Implant
When you are done having your tooth implant installed, there are certain things you should keep in mind and remember as you recover.
For example, you should expect some swelling in the face and your gums as well. You should also not be surprised if you experience some minor bleeding, especially at the site of the implant.
Additionally, it is not uncommon for patients to feel some pain, from mild to minor, at the location of the tooth implant. They may also experience some minor bleeding as well.
If you experience anything more serious than that, don’t hesitate to contact your dental team and explain what you are feeling.
Tooth Implants Without Surgery Work
There was once a time when you had to have surgery to receive tooth implants. But those days are gone and it’s now possible for you to have your brand new, realistic, and gorgeous teeth installed without surgery.
The results are downright astonishing and there are now millions of people who have gotten their tooth implants without surgery and the vast majority of them are happy and satisfied with the outcome. You can still have the tooth implants your mouth needs without having surgery!