Dental Implants

Dental Implant Process

How Does It Work?

Dental implants can be made of titanium or zirconia. An implant is comprised of three parts: the implant device itself that serves as substitute for the tooth root, the overlying crown or denture, and the abutment, which connects the implant device to the crown, bridge, or denture. Once the abutment is screwed into the implant, and the tissue sutured, it is left to heal and become stable. The implant gets fused to the jawbone after a period of average 4 months.

What Does a Dental Implant Procedure Involve?

The timing of the dental implants procedure, and the number of visits required, is largely dependent on each individual, specifically on how quickly the implanted tooth and surrounding area heals and if the patient needs bone grafting. When bone grafting is not required, the complete procedure (from the consultation visit to the last one, where the permanent crown is placed) can take average 4 months.

Below are the 6 steps that must occur in order to get a dental implant:
 

1.  Treatment Plan: In order to determine the best treatment plan for each individual's needs, the oral surgeon will need an updated x-ray of the patient's mouth. The surgeon will then be able to evaluate the health of the teeth and determine if teeth extraction, bone grafting, or sinus lifting will be needed for the dental implant. During the first personal consultation, the dentist might also order additional examinations or request a CT scan to check bone mass.
2. Bone Grafting (when necessary): If the natural bone is not sufficient, bone grafting may be necessary. A bone graft involves the placement of either natural or synthetic bone material so that the implant will be stable and secure. Depending on the quantity of additional bone mass necessary, a bone graft can be performed at the same time as implant surgery or in a separate session.
3. Implantation: The surgery time depends on the number of implants needed and the overall health of the patient's mouth. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, surgery can last anywhere from less than an hour to up to 6 hours. The procedure occurs under local anesthesia and is the same regardless of how many implants are necessary. The gum tissue is opened to expose the bone area where the implant will be placed. Once the jawbone is exposed, the dentist will use a special drill to create the space for the implant in the bone. The implant is then placed into the jawbone and the gums are stitched closed over the implant. Your surgeon will place a temporary crown or retainer to fill the hole created.
4. Healing: Osseointegration, the process in which the implant becomes a part of the jaw, takes about average 4 months to complete. This is usually referred to as the healing period.
5. Final Restoration: When the gum tissue is fully healed and ready, it is re-exposed to attach the abutment to the implant. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days. Once the custom-made crown is ready, it is placed over the abutment, and the final prosthetic crown appears as a natural tooth.
6. After Care: Some small bruises and swelling in the gum may occur right after surgery. Patients should avoid smoking and eating solid food until the gums are healed. The long-term success of an implant requires oral hygiene. It is paramount to keep implants, artificial teeth, and gum tissue clean, just like natural teeth. Moreover, it is advised to do regular checkups to check oral hygiene, and the function and stability of the implant.

  Ask the Doctor : Dental Implants