Considering dental implants? Know the treatment timeline to better understand the course of treatment.
Are you thinking of dental implants to replace a missing tooth? Perhaps you are on the fence about dental implants or just considering the cost of dental implants. Knowing the process of dental implant treatment will help you better ask questions and understand the dental implant treatment duration. Dental implants are much more complex treatment than root canals or standard dental crown treatment and require a great deal of preplanning for a successful implant.
What is dental implant surgery?
A dental implant is a surgical procedure that replaces the roots with a prosthesis to replace damaged or missing teeth. Dental implant posts are usually made of titanium metals that are surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant is made to imitate the root of a missing tooth to support an artificial tooth made to function and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implants can offer a much better alternative to dentures and bridgework to fill in gaps or replace a missing tooth because it can fit naturally between teeth.
What to expect during dental implant treatment?
Like any surgery, dental implant surgery poses some health risks. For this reason, dental implants require a great deal of planning for a successful implant. The amount of time needed for dental implant placement will largely depend on your health and bone health to support the implant. Dental implants can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months to complete.
Initial consultation
Before any dental implant work, your dentist will carefully evaluate if you are a right candidate for dental implants. Dental implants can fail if the patient is not healthy, or the site is not ideal for an implant. A comprehensive examination is conducted to address issues before implants. Common problems that your dentist will look for are periodontal diseases, gum recession, or medical conditions that would prevent implant surgery. The initial consultation will map the course and duration of your dental implant treatment. You can expect to visit your dentist about five times for the following treatment steps.
Tooth extraction
Before placing a dental implant, the decayed or damaged tooth is extracted. In some cases, an implant can be placed immediately after tooth extraction. This method can be used when there is enough bone, and the holes from the extraction site are sufficient to support the implant. However, if your dentist determines that same-day implant is not the best treatment plan, the gum must heal before placing the implant.
Bone grafting
If there is significant bone loss, bone grafting is required before placing the implant. Once a tooth is lost, the bone starts to resorb. The resorption process can leave very little bone left to support the implant. Bone grafting is a technique used to promote bone growth.
Post placement
Once the bone and gum are healed, the site is ready for the dental implant. The jaw is numbed, and a small hole is pre-drilled to allow the placement of the titanium post. The titanium post is placed directly into the bone tissue and acts as the artificial roots. The gum is then stitched and allowed to heal. After the post is implanted, it needs time to integrate with the bone. This process can take more than four months to complete.
Crown Placement
The final step of dental implant treatment is the placement of a crown. An impression will be taken of the exposed abutment and the surrounding area before placing a crown. Once the permanent crown is manufactured, it is fitted and cemented.
If you are considering dental implant, give California Dental Group a call at (800) 407-0161 to make your appointment.
