Have you ever lost a tooth? Or had one severely damaged in an accident? Your dentistΒ might have suggested you get a dental implant, which is a procedure that involves drilling into the roots of your teeth and adding a rod to hold the new tooth in place.
Dental implantsΒ are a fairly common procedure, with rates of installation increasing to 5.7% during 2015-2016 from 0.7% reported during 1999-2000Β in America. And with awareness regarding oralΒ health and hygiene now more widespread than ever, these rates are likely to climb.
Read this article to learn what to expect with a dental implant procedureΒ and why it’s recommended in the first place.
Why Install Dental Implants?
Without a set of functional teeth, not only will you not be able to chew your food properly (or at all), you’ll also encounter speech difficulties that can compromise your overall health and well-being. These are just some of the upsides to undergoing a dental implant procedure.
Getting dental implantsΒ also has cosmetic advantages. If one of your front-facing teeth has been compromised, your dentistΒ can install an implant to restore your smile and bring back your swagger. So all in all, dental implantsΒ are a useful tool to treat missing, cracked, broken, or infected tooth/teeth and are considered a much more permanent fix than dentures or other solutions.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental implants typically consist of three components: an implant, its abutment, and the crown that goes on top. The implant itself is made of titanium which serves the function of your tooth’s root after the dental implant procedure.
The abutment is screwed onto the implantΒ so that the crown and the implant have something to bind to. This can also be made of titanium but also comes in porcelain, gold, stainless steel, and zirconia.
Finally, the crown is the piece that goes on top of the dental implantΒ and is essentially a false tooth that is fixed over the abutment. This part of the implant is replaceable if it cracks or breaks, but these generally can last quite a long time with the right care.
Dental Implant Procedure
Installing a dental implantΒ consists of a number of steps which can be fewer or more depending on your unique condition. But generally speaking, here are the steps involved in a dental implant procedure.
1.Β Consultation
Before any decisions can be taken on what course of dentalΒ treatment you are to receive, a licensed and practicing dental surgeon ought to examine you. You’ll first need to book a consultation by approaching a dental serviceΒ provider in your nearby area. After examining your condition, they can clear you as an eligible candidate for the dental implant procedure.
2.Β Evaluation And Testing
After being cleared for the surgery, your dentistΒ will begin their evaluation and testing to plan your operation. This involves inquiring about your medical history, taking CT scansΒ and X-rays to chart out what areas to avoid (for nerves and sinuses), and where to make the incision.
3.Β Bone Grafting (Optional)
If your dentistΒ determines that you don’t have enough jawbone for the implantΒ to be added, you might first need to undergo the bone grafting procedure. This will be cleared up during your evaluation and testing phase, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect at that stage.
4.Β Installing The Implant
In the case that you don’t need bone grafting surgery, your dentist will proceed with the dental implant procedure. Once your oralΒ cavity has been disinfected, the surgeonΒ will make an incision to expose your tooth socket.
Next comes the drilling into the jawbone where your tooth ought to have been. This is where the implantΒ is going to be placed. Once the implantΒ has been secured in place, the incision is stitched back up.
5.Β Temporary Tooth Cap
Once a few months have passed since the implantΒ was added, you’ll be required to come back to your dentist so that they can install a temporary healing cap over the implant. At this stage, your dentist will make the incision again to install the cap properly. Adding this cap stimulates the healing of the surrounding tissue, so you shouldn’t skip out on this step.
6.Β Crown Placement
Before your crown can be added to the implant, your healing cap is removed, and the abutment is added. The abutment is necessary because it holds your crown in place, which allows you to chew and talk easily. With some time and a healthy oralΒ hygiene routine, you’ll recover and won’t know the difference between your real teeth and your dental implant.
Want to consult with dental surgeonsΒ Mission Viejo, CA,Β for your dental implant procedure? Call our experts at (949) 364-2935 and set up your appointmentΒ to install a dental implant. You can also avail of other services at our center, such as teeth whitening, periodontal treatment, pinhole surgery, bone grafting, and cosmetic crown lengthening.
