What is a Dental Implants Procedure?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that are surgically placed in your jawbone and act as a base for new teeth. The entire process takes several months and involves multiple steps, including:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The first step is a check-up with your dentist. They’ll review your medical and dental history and take pictures and X-rays of your mouth. This helps them understand the condition of your jawbone and gums. Your dentist will then decide if dental implants are right for you.
If they are, your dentist will create a detailed plan for your treatment, including the costs involved.
Step 2: Bone Grafting
If you’ve been missing a tooth for a while, your jawbone might not be strong enough to hold a dental implant. This happens because your jawbone needs the pressure of a tooth root to stay healthy.
Don’t worry; you might still be able to get dental implants. Your dentist can perform a bone graft to add more bone to your jaw. There are two main types of bone grafts:
- Minor bone graft: This can be done right before placing your implant. It’s suitable for small areas where bone is missing.
- Major bone graft: This requires a separate surgery and several months of healing before the implant can be placed. It’s used when there’s a larger amount of bone loss.
Your dentist will recommend the best option for you based on your specific situation.
Step 3: Tooth Extraction (if required)
If you still have the tooth that needs to be replaced, your dentist will remove it before placing the implant. In many cases, the implant can be placed right after the tooth extraction.
Step 4: Implant Placement
Since placing your dental implant is a surgical procedure, your dentist will use anesthesia to numb the area. They’ll then make a small cut in your gum to access your jawbone. Then, they’ll carefully drill a hole in the bone and insert the titanium or zirconia implant.
After placing the implant, your dentist will stitch up the area and give you specific care instructions.
You’ll need to wait 2-4 months for the implant to fully bond with your jawbone. This process is called osseointegration, and it’s essential for the implant’s long-term stability.
Step 5: Attaching the Abutment
After your implant has fully healed, you’ll return to your dentist to have an abutment placed. This step is another minor surgical procedure where your dentist reopens the area and attaches a small connector called an abutment to the implant.
This abutment will act as a bridge between the implant and your new tooth. After placing the abutment, your dentist will stitch up the area again, and you’ll need to wait for another short healing period.
Step 6: Making the Dental Crown
Once your gums have fully healed around the abutment, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom-made dental crown. This crown will be the visible part of your new tooth.
During this step of the dental implant procedure, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect the implant site while the crown is being made.
Wrapping It Up!
We hope this step-by-step procedure guide has helped you understand the dental implant process. If you have any questions or want to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Citrus Smiles Dental Studio. We’d love to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted!
Call our Murphy dental clinic at (972) 472-8862, our Wylie dental clinic at (972) 474-3849, or our Heath dental clinic at (972) 433-6500.