Technically, dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. An implant crown is fixed to an implant which essentially becomes your new, normal tooth. We know your smile’s importance to you, so we design your implant crowns to look like natural teeth. The primary benefit of implants is solid support for your new teeth – a process that requires the bone to heal tightly around the implant.
In general, dental implants may be right for you if you:
• Have one or more missing teeth
• Have a jawbone that’s reached total growth
• Have adequate bone to secure the implants or can have a bone graft
• Have healthy oral tissues
• Don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing
• Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
• Want to improve your speech
How does a dental implant procedure look?
- A dental implant is inserted into the bone
- The healing process of the bone
- The dental abutment is placed on the dental implant
- A ceramic crown is placed, which replaces the natural tooth
If you are getting an implant to replace a damaged tooth, the dentist will need to remove that tooth before being able to put in any implants. In some cases, patients will need extra bone put in where they are missing a tooth. A bone graft is a best and most common way to do this. After a bone graft, you may need to wait up to 3 months to let your gums and jaw recover before implanting.
Dental implant surgery can be done in one or two stages.
- A one-stage procedure: the implant is placed, and a healing abutment is established immediately. It is a connector that attaches the implant from the bone into the mouth and protrudes through the gum. After 3 to 6 months of healing, the implant fuses to the bone, and a crown is placed on the implant without surgery. One-stage implant systems are generally used when the bone quality is good, guaranteeing good initial implant stability.
- A two-stage procedure: the implant is placed into the jawbone, a cover screw is set, and the gum tissues cover it. They are not exposed to the mouth but stay buried and left to heal. Once healed, a second surgery is performed to attach an abutment to secure the crown. This approach is used when there is poorer bone quality or quantity. We want to allow the implant to integrate and don’t want to place any immediate load on it.
Depending on your situation and medical status, your dentist can determine which approach is best for you.
Are you wondering if implants are right for you? The first step to getting a dental implant is a consultation. We commit to providing patients with compassionate, personalized care, so you can rely on visits being as comfortable and pleasant as possible! It’s our pleasure to enhance your smile! For more information about all tooth replacement options and benefits, please call our office at (866) 734-3374 or contact us online.
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