A dental implant procedure is when an oral surgeon inserts artificial tooth roots into your jawbone. These implants are attached to the bone, allowing the provider to place replacement teeth called crowns. Dental implants may be an option if one or more permanent teeth are missing. They are made to look, feel and function just like your natural teeth.
This article discusses what a dental implant procedure is and how to prepare for it. It also covers what to expect during the procedure and recovery.
What is the dental implant procedure?
A dental implant procedure is an outpatient surgery. The implant is made of titanium and other materials that fuse with your jawbone and mimic the root of a tooth. This artificial root allows the dentist to secure your replacement teeth so they feel stable and bond with your surrounding teeth.
Getting dental implants requires several appointments. This includes a consultation, an appointment to place the implant and another to place the new teeth.
Contraindications
Growing children may not be able to get a dental implant until their jaw growth and development is complete. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes or leukemia may not be good candidates for dental implants. This is because these conditions can affect healing after surgery.
If you smoke, your dentist may not recommend surgery, as smoking can slow healing. Talk to your dentist about your medical history and lifestyle habits to make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
What is the purpose of a dental implant procedure?
A dental implant can replace one or more permanent teeth that have been lost due to injury, gum disease, tooth decay or infection. When you speak with your dentist at the initial consultation, he or she may discuss other options for tooth replacement. These may include dentures and bridges.
They will discuss with you whether you have enough space and bone in the area of the missing tooth for the procedure.
If your tooth is missing for a while, you may have bone loss. This requires a bone graft before you can proceed to dental implant surgery.
How to prepare for a dental implant procedure
Before the procedure, you will see your dentist for an initial consultation. Your dentist will do a comprehensive examination. They will take x-rays and discuss options with you to develop a plan for your implant surgery.
Once you develop a plan and they determine that you are in good health, they will schedule the surgery appointment. If your dentist recommends intravenous sedation for the procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to bring you home afterwards.
Location
A dental implant procedure is usually done in a dental office. It is performed by a team of professionals trained in oral surgery and restorative dentistry.
Food and beverage
If you have local anesthesia, you can eat a light meal a few hours before the procedure. If you are having intravenous sedation, you will be advised not to eat anything after midnight the night before surgery. This helps ensure that your stomach is empty.
Medicines
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics for a few days before surgery to prevent early implant failures. They may also have you rinse with a special antibacterial mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine.
Lifestyle changes before the operation
Smoking can reduce the success of dental implants because it can slow healing.,If you smoke, talk to your dentist about whether you should get dental implants.
What to expect during a dental implant procedure
Your dentist will advise you on the best method of placing the dental implants. In some cases, it is possible to place the implant and place the tooth (crown) on the same day. However, it is common for the implant procedure to occur in multiple appointments that are usually several months apart.
In the first phase, the surgical placement of the implant, you will be given local anesthesia to numb your mouth or receive IV sedation. So you won’t feel pain or discomfort.
The dentist makes an incision in your gums to place the implant in the jawbone in place of the missing tooth. Once placed, the dentist closes the gums over the implant so that it remains covered.
You will recover at home and likely return for the second phase of the procedure in a few months. This allows enough time for the bone to grow around the implant, making it strong enough to stay in place. This process is called osseointegrationmeaning that the titanium combines with the bone.
Every patient heals differently, so it can take up to six months to fit the replacement teeth. In some cases, a patient can have everything arranged in one appointment.,,
The dentist will examine you to make sure the implant is secure. Next, they will insert a connecting piece called an support above the post part of the implant. This is the part that will hold the new tooth.
When your gums have healed, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth. They will create a custom replacement tooth, also called a crown. The crown is then attached to the bracket.
How long does recovery take after a dental implant procedure?
If your dentist is using intravenous sedation, you will feel a bit groggy for several hours.
After the implants are placed, you may experience some bruising, swelling, minor bleeding and pain. You may be advised to eat soft foods, cold foods, and warm soup while you heal. To help with any pain, your dentist will likely recommend over-the-counter medications, including Advil (ibuprofen).
Long-term care
Dental implants usually require the same dental hygiene as your normal teeth. To keep them healthy, brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and visit your dentist for regular follow-up appointments. Dental implants do not cause cavities, but they can be affected by periodontal disease, so it is important to practice good dental care.
Summary
In a dental implant procedure, the oral surgeon places artificial tooth roots in your jaw. These implants fuse with your jawbone to hold the replacement teeth.
You will need a few appointments to get dental implants. The first is a consultation with the surgeon. You will then have the procedure to place the implant. In a few months, you will have an appointment to have the replacement teeth fitted. This gives your bone enough time to grow around the implant so that it stays in place.
During the procedure, you may have local anesthesia or IV sedation. Your dentist will also give you instructions on when to stop eating before the procedure. If you are having IV sedation, make sure you have someone to drive you home after the procedure.
