What Is the Process of Getting Dental Implants?

Dental implant surgery is a restoration procedure to replace missing or damaged teeth. Metal posts replace tooth roots, providing a solid foundation for artificial teeth. Implants are a common alternative to bridges or dentures. They are a welcome relief for people who have experienced poorly fitting dentures. Dental implant surgery often involves several procedures.

Candidates for Dental Implants

Surgeons place dental implants in the jaw bone, where they act as roots for artificial teeth. The implant material fuses with the jawbone, ensuring the implants remain in place. You may be a candidate for dental implants:

• If you have one or several missing teeth

• If you have a fully developed jawbone

• If you have healthy oral tissue

• If you have adequate bone to hold the implants

• If you cannot or do not want to wear dentures

• If you do not have health conditions that affect healing

• If you do not smoke

Dental implants can also help to enhance your speech.

Process of Getting Dental Implants

There are several steps in the dental implant process. They are the following:

• Removing the damaged tooth/teeth

• Preparing the jawbone, which may involve grafting

• Placement of the dental implant

• Healing and bone growth

• Placement of the abutment

• Placing the artificial tooth

The entire process can take several months and will depend on whether the patient needs bone grafting. The duration will also depend on the materials used and the specific technique.

Getting a Bone Graft

The dental practitioner may recommend grafting if the patient’s jawbone is inadequate or not thick enough. A bone graft helps to support the implant by creating a solid base. The grafted bone can come from another body location or can be a synthetic bone graft. It can take several months for the grafted bone to grow adequately to support an implant. Some patients require minor grafting that surgeons can perform alongside implant surgery.

Dental Implant Placement

During dental implant placement, oral surgeons create a cut on the gum to expose the bone. They then drill deep into the bone to hold the dental implant post. After placing the implant in the bone, there is a waiting period to allow growth and fusion with the bone. This process is known as osseointegration, and it can take several months. You can get a temporary denture to place in the gap as you wait.

Placement of the Abutment

After the osseointegration, there is a subsequent procedure to place the abutment. It is the section where the crown will be attached. The minor surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon opens the gum to reach the implant before fixing the abutment and sealing back the gum tissue.

Sometimes, oral surgeons attach the abutment at the same time as the implant post. After placement of the abutment, patients wait for about two weeks. It allows the gum to heal before surgeons attach the artificial tooth.

The dental practitioner will help you choose artificial teeth for dental implants. Mouth impressions will help to ensure you get realistic-looking crowns. Follow the doctor’s postsurgical instructions for effective healing. Avoid habits, such as smoking, that can cause implant failure.

For more information on the process of getting dental implants, visit Above & Beyond Dental at our office in Bedford, Texas. Call (817) 571-1667 to book an appointment today.