Dental Implant Steps — How Long The Procedure Will Take?

Missing teeth can drastically change your appearance, making you self-conscious about smiling. If you opt to replace them, your dentist may suggest artificial teeth that are attached to a dental implant that is placed in or on the jawbone.

Dental implants are metal posts that dentists surgically insert into your jawbone beneath your gums. Over time, the bone and tissue fuse to the implant, making it sturdy. Afterwards, the replacement teeth are secured on the posts. With dental implants, you do not need to worry about them shifting around or falling out as might happen with removable dentures. 

 

Types of Dental Implants

• The most common type of dental implant is endosteal. It consists of surgical screws and other structures that are carefully positioned into the jawbone during surgery. As one dental implant can replace one or more prosthetic teeth, it can, in some cases, replace removable dentures.
• Subperiosteal implants are placed on the surface of the jawbone, below the gum tissue. They consist of metal posts that go through the gum to keep the implant steady. This type of implant is commonly used for patients who do not have enough bone height for an endosteal implant. 

 

Dental Implant Procedures

Your dentist will create a treatment plan that is best suited for you, depending on your specific condition and the type of implant chosen.

Some possible treatments are:

• Single Tooth Dental Implants –A single tooth implant is a titanium post that replaces a natural tooth root. Your dentist will attach a crown over the titanium post.
• Multiple Tooth Dental Implants – If you have several missing teeth, then you can opt for multiple tooth implants, which can be attached to a bridge or denture. A typical bridge replaces one tooth or just a few adjacent teeth, while an implant-supported bridge can replace three or four teeth with only two implants.
• Full Mouth Dental Implants – Full-mouth dental implants can be used to support an entire row of teeth. Rather than using one implant per tooth, full-mouth dental implants use four to six implants on each jaw.
• Sinus Augmentation – A crucial element of a successful implant is the amount and quality of bone in the area where the implant will go. The main reason for this difficulty is the insufficient bone amount and quality in that area, as well as its proximity to the sinus. Sinus augmentation can fix this problem by lifting the floor of the sinus cavity and developing more bone for the placement of dental implants.
• Bone Grafting – Dental surgeons routinely use bone grafting to improve the chances of placing dental implants successfully. This procedure replaces lost jawbone volume and encourages new growth of the bone.

 

What are the dental implant steps?

The dental implant procedure is a lengthy process, typically taking 3 to 9 months. You might need assistance from various types of dental professionals, such as an oral surgeon, before the procedure is finished.

 

Assessment

Initially, we will need to take a look at your teeth, gums, and jawbone. It’s paramount that we establish whether you have enough strong jawbone to support the implant throughout its lifetime.

Before getting dental implants, you may need a bone graft or other procedure if your jawbone is too thin or soft. Your gums also can’t have periodontal disease. The number of teeth you want to replace will decide the type and scope of the procedure.

Outpatient dental implant surgery is possible with local anaesthesia, IV sedation, or general anaesthesia. Your specialist will let you know which type of anaesthesia you’ll need before the procedure.

 

Inserting the implant

• Endosteal implants are placed by an oral surgeon, who will start by cutting into the gum to expose the jawbone. Holes are then drilled deep into the bone, and the implant posts are inserted. If you want, a temporary denture can be placed over the holes for aesthetic purposes until the permanent teeth can be attached to the implants.
• Subperiosteal implants don’t require drilling into the jawbone since the implant post is placed on or above the bone. Once the surgery is complete, you may feel some discomfort and swelling, which should subside within a few days. Most people find they can go about their daily activities soon after surgery.

 

Osseointegration

The process of new bone growth around the screw is known as osseointegration, meaning “integration with the bone”, and it occurs for 2 to 6 months. As natural jawbone strengthens and grows during osseointegration, it also secures the dental implants in place so that they can act as artificial tooth roots.

 

Abutment placement

An abutment is a metal connector used to join the replacement tooth and implant. This is usually done during the initial procedure but may also be done under a local anaesthetic during a second minor procedure.

The addition of an abutment during a second procedure may result in the need for an incision by the surgeon if gum tissue has grown over the implant. This is due to a healing cap being placed over the implant after initial placement. The purpose of said healing cap is twofold: the protection of the implanted site and the prevention of surrounding tissue growth.

The second procedure will involve the removal of the healing cap, followed by screwing on the abutment to the dental implant. Thereafter, the nearby gum tissue will begin to contour around the newly placed abutment.

Complete gum healing can be expected to occur within several weeks following surgery.

 

Tooth placement

Once your gums have healed, your dentist will create a mould of your teeth so that your permanent replacements fit snugly and look natural. These can be either fixed or removable.

If you choose a removable tooth, it will be attached to a metal frame. This type of tooth can be removed at home for daily cleaning.

If you choose a fixed tooth, it will be permanently attached to the abutment.

Informing your dentist of the following problems as soon as possible after surgery is key for a successful outcome:

• discomfort that does not go away
• severe pain
• bleeding or swollen gums
• uneven or uncomfortable bite.

Your new implants will look and feel natural–with proper care from you (i.e. brushing and flossing daily). Additionally, regular cleanings and checkups with your dentist are essential.

 

Who can receive dental implants?

A good candidate for dental implants should have:

• Sufficient bone support — Dental implants must integrate with your jawbone for proper support. Having enough bone density and good-quality bones are key to a successful implant. Kids are not eligible for dental implants because their bones are still developing.
• Good overall health — Since implant dentistry is a surgical procedure, being healthy overall is key to success. However, smokers, drinkers, and diabetics often have reduced success rates. These conditions can especially interfere with oral health, which then affects the healing process of the implants. Although if your diabetes is under control, you may still be able to get dental implants.
• Healthy gums — These are essential for supporting dental implants as they fuse with the jawbone. Patients who are at high risk for periodontal (gum) disease often experience implant failure. Getting a cleaning before the dentist places the implant is mandatory.
• Commitment to oral health — Those considering dental implants must be committed to excellent oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, as well as timely visits to the dentist.

Remember that it is just as crucial to take care of your dental implants as it is to brush and floss your natural teeth. The best way to figure out if you can get dental implants is by consulting with a qualified dental surgeon. They will be able to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure and help restore your smile.

 

How to take care of your dental implants?

 

 

Post-Surgery Care

To prevent damaging your implant while it heals, we recommend eating soft foods for the first seven days after surgery. After that, you can slowly start to incorporate harder foods back into your diet, but be careful for up to 12 weeks. 

 

Flossing & Brushing

Much like your regular teeth, the long-term well-being of your dental implants will be contingent on how well you take care of them. With simple brushing and flossing techniques at least twice daily, you can maintain healthy gums and avoid any plaque buildup around the implant site – paying special attention to areas where food often gets stuck. 

 

Lifestyle Choices

The strength of your implants will not only be determined by how well you take care of your teeth but also by other lifestyle choices. One major element that can lead to problems with dental implants (and general oral hygiene) is smoking.

Therefore, this is something your dentist may consider when evaluating if you’re eligible for implants during the initial consultation. 

 

Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

Contrary to popular belief, your mouth is not disconnected from the rest of your body. Your oral health directly correlates with your overall health and well-being. If you want to maintain healthy dental implants, you must take care of yourself and live a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Interproximal Brushes

Interproximal brushes are small but mighty in the fight against gum disease. Be sure to use them daily as part of your dental implant maintenance routine to remove food and plaque buildup around the sides of your implants. 

 

Mouthwash

If you want to get rid of bacteria around your dental implants, it’s important to brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash. 

 

Regular Dental Visits

Go to the dentist regularly for both check-ups and teeth cleanings. This way, your doctor can not only make sure your implants are doing well but also give your new teeth the professional cleaning that they need. 

 

Listen to Your Dentist

Your dentist is a professional when it comes to your teeth, so be sure to listen to their suggestions on how best to take care of your dental implants. This includes things like what foods you should avoid while they’re healing and establishing a good cleaning routine.

Following their guidance will help ensure your implants last for years to come. 

 

What is the risk involved?

Before getting dental implants, it’s important to select the right dentist for you. Furthermore, good oral and dental hygiene is key to maintaining your implant so that it lasts a long time–potentially even a lifetime. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, are vulnerable to gum disease, or smoke cigarettes, then these pre-existing conditions may affect how successful an implant will be. 

 

The Importance of the Dentist

While all dental surgical procedures come with some inherent risk, you can minimise this by choosing a qualified and experienced dentist. A qualified dentist will ensure the implant process is smooth, safe and hassle-free.  

 

5 things to avoid after dental implant surgery

 

1. Smoking

The success of a dental implant procedure depends on your jawbone fuses to the post. This process is called osseointegration. Tobacco in any form can affect your body’s ability to heal and fight infection. It can be difficult to quit smoking, but your recovery needs to stop smoking for a few months until your mouth has healed. 

 

2. Brushing aggressively

Don’t brush your teeth too roughly or often in the first few days; however, you still need to keep your mouth clean. Doing other aggressive activities can also disturb the healing tissues and cause bleeding. If you’re using a rinse, don’t stop. Instead, let the liquid flow out of your mouth into the sink by gently swishing it around. 

 

3. Strenuous exercise

Although it’s crucial to stay active, you must refrain from strenuous activity that will raise your blood pressure and potentially cause surgical site bleeding, as advised by your dentist.

Once you have sufficiently healed, however, you’ll be back on track and able to exercise normally again. 

 

4. Hot or hard foods

After your procedure, you might have a sore mouth for a couple of days. To help with the discomfort, stick to eating soft foods like soups and yoghurt or smoothies. You should also avoid anything hot or spicy to keep from irritating the healing tissues. And no matter what you eat, make sure to chew on the side of your mouth opposite where the implant is located. 

 

5. Using straws

When you have surgery on your mouth, it’s important to avoid drinking with straws as this can cause the blood clot to come loose and result in a dry socket – a painful condition. Carbonated beverages are also a no-no, as they can irritate the surgical site. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to recover comfortably and without any stress.

If you have more questions about dental implant treatment, book an appointment with our friendly dentists at No Gaps Dental or call us on (02) 8007 6727 for professional dental advice.

 

 

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.

 

 

 

 

References

Step-by-step guide and expectations of dental implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide-expectations-dental-implants

Dental implant surgery
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20384624