During a dental implant procedure, you basically get artificial tooth roots. The dental implant will then bond with the jawbone. This allows your dental surgeon to replace your tooth (crown).
About the Dental Implant Procedure
This surgical procedure is an outpatient operation. The dental implant comprises titanium and other materials that bond with your jawbone to mimic the tooth root. This synthetic root will let your oral surgeon properly secure the replacement teeth.
This stabilizes them, enabling better blending with the other surrounding teeth. The entire procedure will require a number of appointments. These include the consultation appointment, placement of the implant, and teeth replacement, among others.
Preparation for Dental Implant Procedure
As mentioned above, you will need several appointments. However, you will need an initial consultation with your dentist. During this stage, you will receive a complete dental examination and take X-rays. Based on the results, your dentist will formulate the best plan for dental implant surgery.
If you are in optimal health for the procedure, you will get a surgery appointment. Additionally, you might require bringing someone to take you home on the day of the surgery if your dentist will use IV sedation.
What to Expect on Surgery Day
Depending on your unique situation, the doctor might place the implant and replacement tooth on the same day. But this is not often the case. Most dental experts recommend getting the procedure in different phases that are preferably several months apart.
The procedure begins with completely numbing your mouth so you do not feel any pain. Your dentist will do this by using IV sedation or local anesthesia.
Placing the Dental Implant
Once you are adequately numb, your dental surgeon makes a small incision in your gums. This allows him or her to fit the tooth root implant in place in your jawbone where you are missing a tooth. Your surgeon then covers the implant by closing the incision.
Initial Recovery
After the placement of the dental implant, you can go home and recover. The second stage of the procedure normally takes place after a few months to allow the implant to fuse with the jawbone. When the titanium implant bonds with the bone, the process is expertly known as osseointegration. Since every patient heals differently, the duration of the recovery and bonding varies from patient to patient.
Replacing the Tooth
Once your dental surgeon determines the implant is stable enough, he or she will place a connecting piece known as an abutment. This piece will hold the new tooth. After this, your surgeon makes an impression of your dental formula and craft a customized replacement tooth or crown that is then joined to the abutment. You experience slight discomfort as your tooth fits in during recovery. Hence, it is advisable to eat soft foods and warm soup during this period.
For more information about what to expect when getting dental implants, visit Robert A. Rees, DDS, at our office in La Jolla, California. You can also call us on (858) 454-6181 to book an appointment.