The Dental Implant Procedure

Many patients who are in need of a tooth replacement procedure are well aware of the different treatment options in the dental cosmetic industry. One of the most popular treatment options for tooth replacement is a dental implant procedure. Many patients shy away from this treatment option as it is the only surgical option for replacing a tooth. The best way to move forward confidently with this procedure is to know the steps involved with it.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants are tooth restorations that are created in a way that mimics a tooth root along with the aesthetics of a natural one as well. A medical-grade titanium post is drilled into the patient's jaw bone and is allotted time to fuse together with the bone. Once the strength of the jaw bone is healed, the dentist will add an abutment piece to which will become the foundation for the official fabricated tooth. Then, a dental crown, a dental bridge or a denture can be screwed or cemented onto the abutment to complete the procedure.

The Details

  1. Consultation: The first step to the dental implant procedure is the consultation. It's extremely important to communicate with your dental professional about all of the necessary steps involved with this treatment. The finances, the sedation options, the healing process, and much more should be discussed at this time.
  2. Surgical placement of implant/s: The first appointment will be the surgical procedure. This is when the dentist will screw the titanium post into your jaw bone. A sedative will likely be used to ensure no pain or pressure is felt during the procedure. A small incision will be made into the gum line to guarantee easy access to the jaw bone. Once the post is screwed into the jaw bone, the dentist will be sure to stitch up the open wound with dissolvable stitches. The dentist will also screw in a healing cap on top of the post to allow for easy healing.
  3. Healing: The titanium post will need a few months to heal fully in the mouth. This piece will fuse together with the jaw bone; this process is called osseointegration. Follow steps below for an ideal healing process.
  4. Abutment: When the full healing process is finished, the dentist will attach an abutment to the titanium post that will act as the foundation for the tooth restoration.
  5. Tooth Restoration: Once all parts are added, the dental crown, dental bridge, or denture will be screwed into (or cemented into) the abutment. This finalizes the dental implant process.

If prior to the procedure there isn't enough strong bone tissue below the gum line, the dentist will recommend a bone graft procedure. This treatment could add an additional 5-7 months to the overall treatment. If the dental implant needs to replace a newly extracted tooth, it can be done right away. If so, the tooth will need to be removed prior to the procedure.

Tips For The Healing Process

Your dental professional will recommend many ways to help you through the healing process. Patients have stated that they have feelings of soreness after the treatment. It is incredibly important to stay away from tobacco products as they can slow the healing process down. It's also recommended to stay away from chewing hard foods or drinking from straws as they can disrupt the blood clots that form to heal the wound

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Renaissance Dental Center to consult on dental implants? Contact us here!

Renaissance Dental Center is conveniently located in Raleigh, NC and services surrounding areas including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner.

Wanting to read more about dental implants? Read about the differences between implants and bridges here.