Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution to missing teeth, and unlike dentures, won’t slip or slide around in your mouth because they are anchored directly into your jaw. If you’ve been researching dental implants, you’ll know the dental implants procedure takes several months from start to finish, But what’s involved exactly? What can you expect?
Shortly, we’ll take a closer look at the dental implant procedure steps but first of all, let’s look at how implants work.
How a dental implant works?
A dental implant is a small titanium fixture surgically placed into the jawbone by either a dentist experienced in dental implants or an oral surgeon. It acts as an artificial tooth root supporting a false tooth (dental crown) or, in the case of multiple implants, supporting a dental bridge or denture.
As you’ve probably realised, dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth to restore a smile and bite functionality.
So, getting back to dental implant procedure steps. Here they are as follows…
Step 1 – The assessment
Before having a dental implant, you will need to visit a dentist for an assessment to see if you are a suitable candidate for implants.
Having dental implants requires dental implant surgery, and often, people don’t want to or are unable to undergo surgery for various reasons.
Lifestyle habits such as smoking can be a reason not to have dental implants, particularly if you’re unwilling to quit the habit, at least for the duration of the dental implant procedure itself. The nicotine in cigarette smoke has been shown to slow down the healing process and even prevent it from happening altogether.
Medical conditions such as cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, a weakened immune system and blood clotting problems can also prevent a patient from being a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Like a natural tooth, a dental implant also relies on the bone for support. If x-rays reveal that your jawbone lacks depth or width, you may need a bone graft before getting dental implants. As this is a surgical process, it will add extra time and cost to the dental implants procedure.
Step 2 – Preparing your mouth
Having ascertained that you are indeed a suitable candidate for a dental implant, the second of the dental implants procedure steps is to prepare your mouth for the implant. This may involve tooth extraction, gum disease treatment or even a bone graft.
Much of the planning for the surgery takes place in the background without you being present so that when it’s time for your surgery, things should run smoothly.
Step 3 – Dental Implant surgery
Surgery is the part of the dental implant procedure that most patients dread, but there is nothing to be scared about, in all honesty.
The dentist will numb your mouth with local anaesthesia to prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort. Dental sedation is also available for anxious patients to help them relax.
For a conventional dental implant, a small incision is made into the gums to expose the bone. The dentist then drills a small hole into which the implant post is positioned. The gums are then closed together with sutures, and that’s it done.
In the case of digital dental implants, a surgical guide is used to insert the implants at a pre-planned depth and trajectory, which means no sutures are required, and healing can be faster.
Here at No Gaps Dental, we pay particular attention to hygiene and sterilisation to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Hand sanitiser is placed strategically around our clinics for patients and staff to use when entering and leaving the building. Hand sanitiser is also used before dental implant surgery by all members of the dental team. We recommend you use a hand sanitiser at home to prevent any infection putting your dental implant at risk of failure.
Step 4 – Healing period
The jawbone must fuse with the titanium implant in a natural process known as osseointegration for the dental implants procedure to succeed.
Only then does the implant become a permanent fixture in the mouth, acting as an artificial tooth root. The time needed for osseointegration to occur depends on your body’s ability to heal.
Since everyone is different, it can take a few weeks to several months for the magic to happen.
Once osseointegration has taken place, the implant is strong enough to support a dental crown or, in the case of multiple dental implants, to support a denture or fixed bridge.
Step 5 – Attaching the abutment
Another short surgery involves attaching a small connector (abutment) to the implant post, although this may occur during dental implant surgery. The abutment secures the dental crown, denture or bridge, to the implant post.
Step 6
The last of the dental implants procedure steps is to attach a dental crown in the case of a single dental implant or a bridge or denture if you are replacing multiple or all of your teeth, and voilà, check out that gleaming new smile!
Are you interested in dental implants?
If you’re considering dental implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth, then there’s no time like the present to book an appointment and take the first step to a brand new smile. Contact the friendly dental team at No Gaps Dental by calling at (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.