Dental implants are growing in popularity. And while many people know that they want them, understanding how they work and what is involved in getting them is another story.
If you are curious and want to learn more about the procedure, this guide can help you gain the knowledge you need to make confident decisions about dental implants and your oral health.
So, let’s take a look at the dental implant procedure — from the initial consultation to the final result.
The Initial Consultation
Before you can get dental implants, you will need to have a consultation with your dental team. This is a very important step since not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure and some will even require additional treatments to be ready.
During this visit, the dentist will do a thorough examination before making any final decisions about moving forward.
Preparing for Dental Implants
You have to have good oral health and good bone density to qualify for dental implants. This means that any gum disease, decay, or bone loss you currently have will need to be addressed before you can take advantage of implants.
As part of your treatment plan, your dentist will schedule these procedures before the implant is placed. Keep in mind that bone grafting – adding bone to your jawbone – will require at least a couple of months of healing before you can proceed.
Dental Implant Surgery
When you are ready, your dentist will schedule your dental implant surgery. This is when a small titanium post is implanted into the jaw bone and left to undergo the process of osseointegration in which the two fuse together.
It can take a few months for the implant to fully connect with the bone in a way that will provide a strong foundation or anchor for the artificial tooth.
Your dentist will keep an eye on your healing and will let you know when it is time to move ahead.
Adding the Abutment
The next step is adding the abutment. This is a small post that attaches to the implant itself and holds the prosthetic tooth in place. During this procedure, the dentist will go down into the gums to attach the abutment.
The gums will require additional time to heal from this procedure, typically about a month or so.
Placing Your New Tooth
The last step in getting your new dental implant is attaching the tooth itself. Your dental implant has the abutment attached and is ready to hold the new tooth — a custom-designed dental crown.
Of course, if you are getting a dental bridge or dentures, this is when those will be placed, as well.
You will likely have a follow-up with your dentist just to make sure all is well with the new artificial tooth. To ensure its longevity, make sure you see your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dental insurance cover dental implants?
Most dental insurance plans will cover a percentage of the dental implant procedure. It all depends on the insurance carrier and the specifics of your benefits coverage.
How painful is getting a dental implant?
Local anesthesia is used for dental implants, numbing the area and removing any pain you may otherwise feel. As the numbness wears off, you may experience some minor discomfort that will ease up over the next couple of days. Over-the-counter pain medicine can offer relief.
Are you Interested in Dental Implants?
If you are interested in getting dental implants, why not schedule a consultation with 376 Dental Studio? We offer our patients nothing but the best from our highly skilled dentists – and we take advantage of specialized guided implant placement software for the utmost precision.
Contact us today at 781-373-3068 to schedule your consultation.