Essentially, dental implant surgery involves replacing the tooth roots with implants, a screw-like metal post. The dental implant procedure is also considered a great alternative to bridgework or dentures. How the dental implant procedure is carried out will depend on the condition of the jawbone and the type of the implants.
Dental implant surgery can involve several procedures. One of its most enticing benefits is robust support for new teeth—a process that involves requiring the bone to heal tightly around the dental implants. Since bone healing can take time, osseointegration, the process of dental implant placement, can last for several months.
Dental Implants: Why It’s Done
Dental implants are surgically placed in the patient’s jawbone so it can serve as replacement for missing teeth. Since the titanium in the dental implants will fuse with the bone through osseointegration, the implants won’t cause bone damage, make noise, or slip. Generally, dental implants is considered ideal for:
People with one (or more) missing teeth
People with a jawbone that has reached full growth
People with adequate bone to secure the implants in place achieve osseointegration. achieve osseointegration. achieve osseointegration.
People with healthy oral tissues
People who don’t like wearing dentures
People with no health conditions that affect bone healing
People who want to improve their speech
People who are willing to commit several months to the long-term process.
People who don’t smoke
Dental Implant Procedure: What to Expect
Dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that is done in stages with healing time in between. Placing of the dental implants can involve multiple steps, including surgery and abutments.
Removal of damaged tooth
Preparation of the jaw
Grafting (when required)
Dental implant placement
Bone growth and healing
Placement of abutment
Placement of the artificial tooth
Bone Grafting
If the jawbone is too soft or not thick enough, bone grafting may be required before the dental implant procedure can be carried out. This is because the chewing action of the teeth can exert great pressure on the bone. If the prosthetic is not strong enough to support the dental implants, the surgery can fail. A bone graft can create a more robust base for the dental implant.
There are several materials, dental implants, that are used to rebuild a jawbone. Options can include a natural bone graft (taken from another location in the body) or synthetic (bone-substitute material that provides support for new bone growth). Your dentist will be able to give proper guidance as to which one is best for you.
It might take several months for the transplanted bone to grow ample bone to support a dental implant. In some cases, only minor bone grafting is required, which can be done the same time as the dental implant surgery itself. The condition of the jawbone and teeth will help determine how people move forward.
Bone Growth
Once the dental implants metal implant post has been successfully placed in the bone, osseointegration begins. During this process, the jawbone is expected to grow into and unite with the dental implant’s surface. The process of dental implants can take several months but it can provide a sturdy base for the new artificial teeth.
Abutment
Once osseointegration of dental implants is complete, additional surgery to place the abutment is done. The abutment is the piece where the dental implants crown is attached. This minor surgery is typically performed using local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting.
New Artificial Teeth
Once the gums have healed, more impressions will be made of the mouth and the remaining teeth. These impressions are used to make the realistic-looking artificial tooth known as the crown.
The crown won’t be placed until the jawbone is strong enough to support the new tooth. You and your dentist can decide whether to choose a removable artificial tooth, a fixed one, implants, or a combination of the two.
