Understanding The Dental Implant Procedure

by Laura Eagle

Dental implants are definitely some of the most important things created by modern dentistry. They look and function much like real teeth and are more convenient and longer lasting than dentures. If you want to get some implants there are a couple of things that you need to understand about the dental implant procedure.

Getting Advice from Your Dentist

You need to get your dental condition carefully examined before you receive implants. Aside from your dental condition, your dentist may also need to know about your medical history and current medications, if any. This initial assessment will help determine whether implants are suitable for you.

Apart from determination of your fitness, this initial interview will also help to determine the right procedure and the exact form of implants for you. Dependent on the jaw condition of a patient, different forms of implants will be selected. Some patients may even need bone grafting or antibiotics before implantation.

Placing the Implants

The placement of the implant is the first step in the whole process. Almost all implants are made of titanium. So far, titanium is believed to be the best material that can perfectly merge with our jawbones. In some rare cases, however, the implants could be eventually rejected.

Before the implantation, bone grafting is a must step for patients with insufficient jawbones. Others can proceed to the implantation directly. As can be imagined, anesthesia is used before the dentist opens your gum and drills your jawbone. This is followed by the placement of implants and the stitching of your gum opening.

Healing

After the first step, you would be asked to wait for a couple of months before the next step. This is to give enough time for the bone to grow around and merge with the implant. At the most, this waiting period may last for as long as half a year.

Attaching the Post

After your jawbone fully heals around the implant, a post will be attached in order to hold the crown or artificial tooth. The dentist will make another opening in your gum and then attach the post to the implant. After that, you will be asked to rest for another couple of weeks so that your gum will heal around the post.

Placement of the Crown

After the gums have healed, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth so he can make the right crown for the missing tooth or teeth. These specially made pieces are made to have the same color and appearance as your natural teeth. The crown is attached to the post.

The dental implant procedure may seem much like a straightforward process to some people, but a rather complex (if not scaring) one to others. Whatever you feel about the process, make sure that you have an expert and qualified dentist to do the job for you. That way, the success of your dental implant is more guaranteed

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If you are thinking about having implantation, make sure you visit our site to learn more about dental implant procedure. You can also benefit from visiting our complete online dental guide if you have another area of dental concern.