Tooth implants are a natural-looking alternative to natural teeth that can provide you with a lasting and more confident smile. Dental implant surgery is becoming an increasingly popular tooth replacement option for those who are missing teeth or need to have them removed and offers many benefits for people of all ages. If you’re considering a dental implant procedure, here’s what you can expect out of your dental implants and how a tooth implant is done.
What Is a Tooth Implant?
Tooth implants or dental implants, are surgical fixtures that integrate with a person’s jawbone to replace tooth roots. The complete restoration consists of a titanium implant post, a ball-shaped abutment, and an artificial crown. The abutment is the connection between the crown and the implant.
Tooth implants function as a permanent solution for teeth replacement and are as close as you can get to having natural teeth. Dental implants are inserted directly into the jawbone during dental implant surgery to help you eat and talk normally and smile with greater confidence.
When Do You Need a Tooth Implant?
If you’ve lost teeth or will soon be undergoing teeth extraction surgery, you will likely need teeth replacements. Receiving dental implants through a dental implant procedure may be the right choice and a worthwhile investment in your oral health.
Tooth loss can happen when you experience gum disease, tooth decay, or other complications due to poor oral hygiene, or trauma. Whatever the reason for your missing teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implant surgery to replace the missing teeth and roots to give you a fully functioning mouth and avoid future complications.
If you have missing teeth, over the long term, your surrounding teeth could shift and cause misalignment, which may negatively affect the health of your bite. Additionally, you could experience bone loss, leading to a more complex and expensive bone grafting procedure down the road that could easily be avoided with dental implant surgery.
Dental implants are a lasting solution that can help support long-term oral health. They stimulate bone growth and support the surrounding teeth and tissues. Additionally, if you feel insecure or self-conscious due to your missing teeth, they can boost your confidence in social situations and help you look and feel great.
How a Tooth Implant Procedure is Done?
Dental implant surgery is typically completed in stages to allow healing time between each procedure. Depending on your situation, the surgery could involve months’ worth of work, including removing damaged teeth, jawbone grafting, dental implant placement, bone growth or healing, abutment placement, and placement of the artificial teeth.
To fully understand how a tooth implant is done, it can be broken down into the following steps.
Initial Consultation
The first step in getting dental implants is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. During this consultation, your dental implants dentist performs a comprehensive dental examination that includes going over your medical history and taking X-rays or 3D images to assess the affected areas and your bone health. They may also create models of your teeth and jaw.
Then, based on their findings, they develop a customised dental implants treatment plan. This plan is tailored to your needs to account for how many teeth need replacement and your remaining teeth and jawbone’s condition.
Surgery Prep
On the day of your dental implant procedure, your dental clinic will follow all hygienic best practices and protective measures, including using hand sanitiser to ensure a sterile and safe environment. In addition to using medical gloves and other personal protective equipment, you can expect your dentist to use hand sanitiser and offer you hand sanitiser before and after the procedure.
Your dentist will use local anaesthesia to numb the area before they begin the surgery to minimise any discomfort during the procedure. If you have dental anxiety, we also offer inhalation sedation to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during the dental implant procedure.
If your circumstances require bone grafting, this will be done in a separate surgery several months before placing your dental implants. Bone grafting is performed when your jawbone is not thick or strong enough to support the implant. When bone grafting is needed, your dentist or oral surgeon may graft bone from another area of your body or use a synthetic bone to act as a bone substitute.
Placement of Dental Implants
During the procedure, your dentist makes an incision in your gums to expose the bone. Next, your oral surgeon drills a hole into the jaw and places the metal implant post that will mimic the tooth root.
When this procedure is complete, your implant dentist may be able to place the abutment immediately. In other cases, the gum is closed, and you will enter the osseointegration phase, in which your implant and jawbone grow together to provide a lasting and robust foundation for your new teeth. This process can take between 3-6 months.
Abutment Placement
Once the dental implants have bonded with your jawbone, the abutment is placed. This minor surgical procedure places a small connector on the dental implant post above the gumline. Once it’s attached, you will enter a healing period of roughly two weeks before getting your artificial teeth.
Attach New Teeth
Now that you’ve got your dental implant posts and abutment, it’s time for your new teeth. Once your dental implant dentist determines your gums are healed, they take impressions of your mouth and create custom-made artificial teeth. Depending on whether you are getting fixed or removable teeth, your permanent restorations will either be a crown, bridge, or dentures containing multiple teeth.
Your new teeth will be made to match and complement your existing teeth for a natural look. Once ready, they will be attached to the abutment, and you can enjoy your new and improved smile.
Regular Checkups
The final step in how a tooth implant is done is to schedule regular checkups. Visiting your dentist routinely, along with practising excellent oral hygiene, ensure your new implants are functioning correctly, and improve your overall oral health.
Discover if Dental Implants Are Right For You
If you want to learn more about dental implants and how they might benefit you, you can book a consultation at one of 15 No Gaps Dental locations or call on (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.