If you’re interested in dental implants you have to know more than just how much a dental implant cost or if it’s right for you. Equally as important to knowing the dental implant cost is knowing what the implant placement process entails.
Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth so there is more involved compared with other restorative treatments like dentures and bridges. This guide will explain how each step of the treatment plays out:
Step #01: The Initial Consultation
At the first appointment, a thorough oral exam will be conducted. X-rays and images of your teeth as well as an assessment for general health must all take place to determine if you are a good candidate for receiving implants.
You need to have overall healthy gums along with strong bone structure in order not to show any signs or symptoms that would indicate complications resulting from the implant procedure.
Step #02: Preparing for the Dental Implant Procedure
To prepare for a dental implant, you may need to have your tooth extracted. You will also need jaw bone grafting or sinus lift surgery in some cases if the jaw bone is not strong enough to support the implant. It could take up to six months of recovery time before getting the final implants placed with the aforementioned procedures done beforehand.
Step #03: Placement of the Implant
After your consultation is complete, you will be numbed and cleaned up in preparation for the insertion of a dental implant. A small incision is made into where your tooth used to reside before it fell out or was removed due to decay/disease.
The implant gets inserted and stitched shut with tiny stitches that dissolve on their own after healing has occurred. The whole process typically only takes at least an hour from start-to-finish.
Step #04: Healing and Osseointegration
Once your implant has been placed, it will take 3-7 days for the initial healing process to occur. This is a time of rest and recovery as your body heals from surgery. After this period passes, you can continue with dental work by beginning osseointegration.
Osseointegration is a process that takes between 3-6 months in most cases during which bone tissue bonds directly into surrounding gum tissues around implants locking them firmly in place where they are able to support restoration attachments securely.
Step #05: Restoration Placement
After your implant has integrated with the rest of your oral tissue, you will receive a porcelain crown that mimics the size and shape of natural teeth. This process is called dental bonding or veneering because it strengthens tooth enamel by covering imperfections on the top layer. Your next appointment includes attaching this permanent crown to an implanted device for complete replacement.
Other Things You Need to Know About Dental Implants
They Have a High Success Rate
Dental implants have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many choosing them over other tooth replacements such as dentures or bridgework. One of the reasons for their rise in popularity is that dentists themselves often recommend these to patients due to its high success rate.
Studies have found that the success rate of dental implants is over 98 percent. While your health and eligibility for the procedure are factors that need to be considered, dental implants are considered an excellent choice for those who are missing a tooth.
They are Designed to Look Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants are designed to look and act like normal, natural teeth. The titanium post on the bottom takes the place of a tooth root and offers support for your new implant. After the surgery is complete, however, others won’t be able to tell the teeth are not real.
