What You Can Expect During Dental Implant Surgery

Thinking about getting a dental implant to take care of your missing tooth problem? Even when you are just missing one of your teeth, it will eventually lead to you experiencing other oral problems.

One of the biggest problems is shifting teeth due to the now empty space. Shifting teeth leads to crooked teeth, and crooked teeth make it harder for you to properly clean your teeth. Other missing tooth problems include difficulty talking, difficulty chewing and loss of jawbone.

About dental implants

Wanting to know what to expect during dental implant surgery? Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option for those who are missing one or more of their teeth. They look and act just like a natural tooth, making it difficult to tell the difference between a natural tooth and a dental implant.

Implants look like a natural tooth because they are custom made for every patient. Implants act as a natural tooth because they are surgically inserted into a patient's jawbone.

What to expect during dental implant surgery

The dental implant surgical process is performed in stages as there are multiple steps involved in this type of dental procedure.

Removing the damaged tooth

If the dental implant is replacing a damaged tooth, then the dental professional will first need to completely remove the damaged tooth. A tooth extraction is a quick and simple procedure if the tooth only needs to be extracted above the gum surface.

If a tooth needs to be extracted that has broken below the gum surface, then the extraction procedure will take more time to complete.

When tooth extraction is necessary, the patient will need to heal for two to three weeks before moving on to the next step.

Placing the post

In order to place the implant into the jawbone, the dental professional will make a small incision in the gum in order to expose the jawbone. Tiny holes are made in the jawbone using a special dental tool and are where the metal post is placed. This metal post acts as the tooth’s root.

It is necessary for the post to fully heal before moving on to the next step. Thus, a temporary false tooth will be placed until the healing period is complete.

Healing period

The healing period is known as osteointegration. This is a process that takes about three to four months to complete. During the osteointegration process, the post and the jawbone fuse together, making for a strong foundation just like a natural tooth root.

Placing the abutment

Once the osteointegration process is complete, the abutment can be placed. This step requires the dental professional to attach the abutment to the implant and takes about two weeks to fully heal.

Once the patient heals, they can have their new artificial tooth attached to the abutment.

Placing the new artificial tooth

Every patient will have an impression made of their mouth in order to make them a custom-made artificial tooth. A focus on proper alignment is made as the new implant is permanent. If any adjustments need to be made to ensure that the shape and fit of the new implant are seamless, then the dental professional will make these adjustments at this time.

Bone grafting

If the patient is also in need of bone grafting surgery, then the graft will need to be performed before placing the actual implant. Patients can choose between natural bone grafting materials and synthetic bone graft materials.

Healing from bone grafting surgery takes anywhere between three and five months.

Getting approved for dental implant surgery

Every patient needs approval before getting a dental implant as surgery is required. Good candidates for implants include dental patients whose gums are in good health and have enough bone density to allow for a secure dental implant. If the patient does not have sufficient bone density, then it is possible to get approved for a bone graft.

The sooner you make an appointment with a dental professional so you can be approved for a dental implant the sooner you can reap the many benefits that come with this tooth replacement option.

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