Missing teeth can throw you off the edge! It can not only change the way you smile but also alter your face shape over time. This, in turn, could give way to other oral health problems while making you self-conscious about your smile.
At times like these, replacing missing teeth becomes your only option. When consulting your dentist for the same, they suggest you get an implant for dental space.
But what are dental implants? What is the procedure?
Let’s find out as we learn more about tooth implantation and the overall procedure in the following sections of the blog.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a part of restorative dentistry. They’re an incredible option for individuals who have sustained tooth loss due to accidents, diseases, or other natural causes. Traditional options like crowns and dentures cannot solve oral issues, but they are the best option to resolve them.
Dentists place implants as artificial tooth roots into the jawbone to provide a foundation for holding prosthetic teeth in place. This way, the implants function more like a natural setup with tooth roots. The result is a natural-looking artificial tooth.
Dentists in Grants, NM, generally break down the oral process into three different steps:
- The titanium-based implant.
- The abutment: A post that connects the crown to the implant.
- The crown acts as a tooth.
So now that we have a basic idea of what dental implants are let’s learn more about the implant tooth process in the following sections of the blog.
Different Stages Of Dental Implants Procedure
Stage I: Examination & Extraction
The first stage of your implantation teeth procedure begins with examining your teeth. Once the dentist has a good idea of your oral health, they suggest you improve it or proceed with an extraction.
This step requires you to visit a dentist for a few hours and proceed with the extraction process. This would allow the professional to make a place for the new setup.
After successfully proceeding with the extraction, you’d be required to wait some time to heal. Once done, your dentist will move you to the next stages of the procedure.
Stage II: Placing The Implant
After your dentist has successfully examined and extracted the tooth, placing the implants comes next in the implant’s dental procedure. This stage comprises several steps, namely:
- Your gum will be sliced open by an oral surgeon, revealing your jawbone.
- Once the dentist drills holes in the bone, they place the implant post that forms an artificial root.
- If you choose, you can cover the gap with a removable or temporary denture for aesthetic reasons until the permanent tooth can be fixed to the implant.
However, if you have a subperiosteal implant, your jawbone won’t be drilled during the tooth implant steps. During such instances, the implant post will be placed above or on the bone.
Besides, no matter the implant your dentist suggests, expect to feel some swelling or discomfort afterward. This may last for several days.
Stage III: Surgical Insertion
Once the implant dental integration occurs and the post becomes one with your jaw bone, it becomes your new tooth root. It caters to the crown placed or plugged into your oral region, supported by an abutment to maintain the connection between the implant and crown.
Once the dental implant is placed, it takes 2 to 6 months before new bone is formed around it. Also known as osseointegration, this process means “combining with the bone.”
The native jaw bone will thicken and expand around the dental implant during osseointegration. This maintains it securely in place to serve as the root of the fake tooth.
Stage V: Placing The Abutment & Crown
Once your jawbone fully integrates with the implant, the dentist installs an abutment in your oral cavity. In this stage of Grants for teeth implants, your dentist will connect the implant crown or replacement tooth to the implant.
It is generally completed via microsurgery, where a professional opens the gums to place the abutment. This stage typically requires a local anesthetic and takes a few hours to execute.
In the final step of the procedure for dental implants, your dental surgeon will shape a replacement tooth to fit your existing tooth structure.
Takeaway To Prepare For A Dental Implant Procedure
Location
A dental implant procedure typically requires you to spend time at the dental office throughout the treatment. Therefore, ensure you look for a location close to your abode or within a few miles.
Food & Drink
If you get local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal a few hours before the procedure. On the contrary, if you’re having an IV sedation, it’s wise not to eat anything after midnight or earlier that night before surgery.
Medications
Your dentist may advise you to take antibiotics for a few days before surgery to stop early implant failure. Or, they might also want you to rinse with a specific antibacterial mouthwash like chlorhexidine.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Smoking can impede the healing process, which could reduce the success of dental implants. If you smoke, discuss if getting dental implants is suitable for you with your dentist.
Now You Know!
A dental implant procedure is divided into different steps, all of which are designed to ensure you a flawless smile and good oral health. Since these implants fuse with your jawbone, you need to stay in touch with your dentist for implant and get an in-depth idea of the process. All the best!
Visit Our Professionals Today!
Dental implants can be lifesaving. However, hunting for the ideal implant dentist can be a challenge. At Sundance Dental & Orthodontics, we bring you professional implant specialists who bring out the best of your smile. Visit us today or call us at 505-972-3000 to book an appointment.