Dental Implant Procedure Guide
Posted on: 20 October 2020
A dental implant procedure is a treatment option for missing teeth. It is popular for its impeccable results and low maintenance, as maintaining the artificial teeth is not as involved as dentures. Here's what you need to know about the procedure:
Examinations and Tests
Before a dental implant procedure, expect the dentist to carry out a physical examination and conduct different tests. This is important in making sure that you are a good candidate for dental implants. What does this mean? The dentist needs to confirm that your bone structure can support dental implants. Additionally, he or she needs to verify that you don't have any health condition that might be life-threatening if you are placed under general anaesthesia. Yes, dental implants require surgery, meaning you have to be unconscious.
Dental Implant Procedure Duration
A dental implant procedure can take months before completion. This is because you might require two surgeries.
First Surgery
The dentist cuts your gum to expose your jawbone. He or she analyses the jawbone to check whether it is thick enough to drill a dental implant. If it is not thick enough, the dentist applies a bone graft. He or she then drills an implant into your jaw and sews your gum; the dentist does this for each missing tooth.
Your jawbone needs to fully fuse with dental implants and heal; this usually takes months. When you get discharged, your dentist will still require you to visit the clinic for regular monitoring.
Second Surgery
Once the dentist confirms that you have healed properly, a day for the second surgery is set. The second surgery is needed to place an abutment (this forms the attachment place for an artificial crown). Your gum is cut open once more to expose the dental implant. The dentist then attaches an abutment to it. This is done for all the dental implants drilled into your jawbone.
Your dentist can wait for you to heal before attaching the artificial crown or he or she can attach them during the second surgery. This decision is made based on your healing process after the first surgery and your general health. If your dentist finds it best to attach artificial crowns during a third dental visit, you require a few weeks to heal.
Third Dental Clinic Visit
Attaching artificial crowns to abutments does not require surgery, you might, however, need to be numbed so expect injections.
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