If you are considering replacing missing teeth with dental implants but want to know more about what’s involved in the teeth implants process you’re in luck. Our team has put together a short guide detailing what’s involved in the dental implant procedure, and what to expect during dental implant surgery. So without further ado, let’s jump in and take a closer look.
Firstly, what are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They enable your dentist to secure replacement restorations for greater stability while blending seamlessly into your smile.
They are the closest thing to natural teeth and give a person the confidence to socialise without feeling embarrassed or concerned about their smile.
While anyone with a fully grown jaw can, in theory, be a suitable candidate for dental implants, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes or leukaemia or that smoke may not be deemed suitable because these conditions can affect healing after surgery.
What is the teeth implants process?
Undergoing dental implants involves several appointments, including initial consultation, surgery to place the implant, and another to attach new teeth.
Overall, the dental implant procedure can take anywhere from 4 to 9 months to complete, depending on the individual’s ability to heal.
If you don’t know, dental implants are multifunctional and can replace:
- A single tooth
- Several consecutive teeth
- All of your teeth
However many teeth are missing and no matter where in the mouth, the good news is that there is always a dental implant solution.
Now back to the teeth implants process…what’s involved?
Like many of our cosmetic dental treatments, the implants process starts with an initial consultation. The dentist will carry out a thorough examination and take a series of x-rays or 3D images to determine the quantity and quality of the bone remaining in your jaw.
When teeth are extracted or lost through injury, the bone that supported them is resorbed by the body because it feels there is no longer a use for it. Like normal teeth, dental implants rely on bone to support them, so it’s vital that there is sufficient bone available to do this.
Should a patient have insufficient bone, it doesn’t mean they can’t have implants. Their dentist may recommend a bone graft to supplement the bone but naturally, this will incur an additional cost and a longer treatment time.
Based on the X-rays and 3D scans, your dentist will discuss your best implants options and put together a customised treatment plan.
The planning
Much of the planning takes place between the surgeon and his team without the need for you to be there. By utilising the latest state-of-the-art technologies it’s possible to plan the dental implant surgery in detail and plot the best location for the implant(s) resulting in shorter surgery time and more accurate results.
During the next appointment, your implants will be placed.
Dental Implant Surgery – What to Expect
While for many patients, dental implant surgery is the most worrying part of the implant procedure, in reality, most patients experience far less discomfort than they expected. You’ll be pleased to know that at No Gaps Dental we can provide sedation for nervous patients – or anyone who would rather not be aware of what’s happening – and honestly, it will be over before you even know it. If you do opt for dental sedation, remember to bring someone with you who can accompany you home.
Anaesthetic is used in conjunction with sedation, so the patient remains comfortable throughout the surgical process. Once you are comfortable, a small incision is made in the gums to expose the bone and the tooth implant is placed directly into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Once placed, the gums are closed with sutures.
Over the next few months you will recover at before the next stage of the dental implant procedure. You might want to stock up on softer nutritious foods as this will be beneficial for the first couple of weeks after dental implant surgery. After that you can gradually introduce other foods so you see fit.
During this period, the titanium implant fuses with the surrounding bone in a process known as osseointegration. Once this has occurred, the implant is strong enough to support a prosthetic tooth or crown. People heal differently so it can be up to 6 months before the replacement teeth can be fitted.
Placing the abutment
Once your dentist has deemed that the implant has fully stabilised, minor surgery will be required to uncover the implant and secure the abutment. This is a tiny component that holds the new tooth. It sits just above the gum line and in some cases can be placed at the same time as the implant.
Attaching your permanent teeth
Once your gums have healed, the dentist will make impressions of your teeth to create your permanent restorations whether it’s a single crown, bridge, or denture. Typically patients are fitted with ‘temporaries’ until their permanent restoration is ready. Once fabricated, the final stage of the dental implant procedure is to cement the permanent crown in place on top of the implant or install the bridge or denture.
So there you have it – everything you need to know about the teeth implants process. Naturally, an important part of the dental implant procedure is to follow the aftercare instructions given to you following surgery to the letter to help avoid any complications. It’s also important to attend regular dental check-ups so that your dentist can monitor your oral health and the health of your implant.
If you’re interested to find out how teeth implants could help and whether it’s the right treatment for you, call us at (02) 8806 0227 for an implant consultation with the experienced team at No Gaps Dental.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.