Steps in Getting Dental Implants
Dental implants are often the best option for missing teeth. They are placed into your jawbone and your body will accept them as their own. They will continue to build bone around them, keeping your jawbone healthy and strong. Because of this, your artificial teeth will feel as natural as possible.
To get dental implants, you will have to go through a several steps of the process. Though it takes time to go from start to finish, it is necessary in order to have a successful dental implant. The process involves:
Removal of Your Damaged Tooth
Before you are able to get your dental implants, you are going to have to get your damaged tooth removed. Extractions are very easy and you shouldn’t feel any pain.
Prepare Your Jawbone
If your tooth has been damaged for a while (or you have had missing teeth), your jawbone may need a bone graft before you can get your dental implants. This may be done because your jawbone isn't strong enough to support your new dental implant.
During a graft, material from another location will be placed into your jaw to make it stronger. There are also times when a synthetic material is used instead.
You may be able to get your dental implants at the same time as your graft, though, if there is significant damage, you may need to let the graft heal before you are able to go to the next step. It may take a few months before your jawbone is strong enough.
Placement of Dental Implants
When your jaw is strong enough, an oral surgeon will cut open your gum to expose your jawbone. Then, holes are drilled and your implant is placed deep into the bone so that it can act like a root.
At this time, you will still have space where your tooth is missing. We then can place a temporary denture in the spot if needed.
Healing Time
During this healing time, osseointegration can begin. This basically means that your jawbone will continue to grow bone and your dental implant will completely become a part of your jaw. This takes several months but it is important because it makes your dental implants as strong as your natural teeth are.
Abutment Placement
Once your jaw is healed and osseointegration is finished, it is time for you to think about getting your artificial teeth. However, before that happens, you need to get the abutment placed. This is the piece where your artificial teeth will eventually attach to.
The abutment placement is a minor surgery that is often done with just local anesthesia. During this time, your oral surgeon will cut open your gums to expose your dental implant. The abutment is then attached to the implant and they close the gums around it.
There are times when you may be able to do this step when you are getting your dental implants placed.
Placement of Your Artificial Tooth
After your gums have healed, which can take around two weeks, it will be time to think about getting your artificial teeth. Your dentist will make impressions of your mouth and other teeth so that your artificial ones look like they belong in your mouth.
You have two choices when it comes to picking artificial teeth. You can get removal ones, like dentures, and those that are fixed right into the abutment. You won't be able to take them out like you can with removable ones. This is a personal decision. Some people want to be able to take their dentures out at night so that they can clean them while others prefer to have teeth that are permanently attached.
If you are thinking about getting dental implants, it is important to know that you are going to have to go through a few steps to get there. Though it may take a few weeks or months, it is worth it to have artificial teeth that look and feel like your natural ones!
You will have to get your damaged teeth removed and then your jawbone can be prepared. If it is weak, you are going to need some bone grafting to make it strong enough to support your implants. After they are placed, your mouth is going to need time to heal so osseointegration can begin. During that time, your jawbone is going to continue to grow bone until the implant is permanently a part of your jawbone. Your abutment will be placed so that your artificial teeth have a place to attach to. Then, there comes the day when you can get your artificial teeth and you can be proud of your smile.
If you are ready to get started, don't hesitate to call or contact us today! Dr. Sunar will be more than happy to go through your options and discuss things with you more in person. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants or even All-On-Four, click either of the two links.