The Dental Implant Procedure Explained (Know What to Expect)
There are a number of ways that missing teeth can impact your health. For one, it will throw your jaw out of alignment. It can also cause a change in your face shape, and the gaps won’t do wonders for your self-esteem.
You’ve got a few options for fixing the problem. Many people are turning to dental implants instead of going the dentures route. Implants can better mimic the look of your natural teeth, and they promote jawbone growth.
Before you sit in the chair, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the dental implant procedure. We can help with this. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of getting implants.
Types of Dental Implants
When you go through the initial consultation with your dentist, they’ll give you two different implant options. One is in the bone and the other one is on top of it.
Endosteal
Endosteal implants are inserted deep within your jawbone. The idea is that they perform the same job that the original tooth root did.
They support healthy bone growth and keep your jaw in alignment. One set of implants can act as an anchor for several teeth at once.
Subperiosteal
If your jawbone is less than healthy, it won’t be strong enough to support the endosteal implants. If that’s the case, you’ll have to opt for the subperiosteal option instead.
The implant is anchored under the gum without fully dipping down into the jawbone. It serves pretty much the same purpose. The only difference is that it’s on top of your jawbone instead of in it.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Now that you know what your options are, it’s time to go over the entire dental implant process. Your cosmetic and implant dentistry professional will talk about some of this during the evaluation stage of things.
Evaluation
Before your actual appointment, you’ll go through the evaluation phase. This is where your dentist will discuss your implant options and find a shade that will help the new editions blend in the best with the healthy teeth you have.
They’ll get x-rays to check on the status of your jawbone and take impressions. This is also when you’ll discuss your health history and tell the dentist the medications that you’re currently on.
They’ll need the full list because depending on your medical conditions, they may have to prescribe medication to stave off infection after the surgery.
Extraction
The next step in the dental implant procedure timeline is the extraction. You’ll have to go through this if you have any remaining teeth that need pulling.
Your dentist obviously won’t be able to put implants in that spot until the teeth are gone. Don’t worry, they’ll use anesthetics, so all you’ll feel is a tiny pinch as they remove the tooth.
After this part of the process is finished, you’ll have to avoid blowing your nose, drinking through a straw, and smoking. In some cases, you can schedule your extraction on the same day that you get the rest of the procedure done.
Inserting and Grafting
These dental implant procedure steps will go a bit differently depending on which implants you get. If you go with the endosteal option, the dentist will cut your gum enough to expose your jawbone. From there, they’ll drill holes into the bone to carve a path for the implant posts.
If you’re getting the subperiosteal procedure they won’t have to drill into the bone. No matter which option you get, you’ll experience some pain and swelling for a few days afterward.
Abutment Placement
After a while, your bone will begin to grow around the implant. It’s during this time when the dentist will put an abutment on top of the implant.
It’s the piece that connects your new false teeth to the crown. Your dentist will have to tighten it or your implants won’t stay in place while you eat.
Permanent Crown
The last step is to add the artificial crown. Your dentist won’t proceed with this until they’re sure that your gums have healed. These crowns can be removable or fixed.
If you go the fixed route, the crown will be permanently screwed onto the top of the abutment.
If you don’t want permanent crowns, the dentist will attach the tooth to a metal frame before they put it on top of the abutment. This will allow you to take the tooth off to clean it.
Aftercare
Before your dentist sends you on your way, they’ll give you a packet full of aftercare instructions. If you want to avoid complications, you should follow them to the letter.
You don’t want to put too much strain on your implants after the surgery. That means you should head to the store to buy softer foods. Stay away from cigarettes because smoking can increase your risk for infections.
From there, it’s all about keeping up a regular oral health routine. Brush and floss every day. Chewing hard candy and ice can break your crowns, so it’s best avoided.
Go see your dentist at least once a year for regular checkups and cleanings. As you can see, it’s not much different than taking care of your natural teeth.
Your Guide to the Dental Implant Procedure
Has your dentist told you that you’ll have to undergo the dental implant procedure? It’s enough to make anyone nervous, but there’s less that goes into it than you may think.
The doctor will numb your mouth for most of it, so you won’t feel a thing. When it’s all said and done, you’ll have a beautiful smile that you can feel confident about.
If you’re looking for more ways to take care of your pearly whites, visit our blog.
