If you have missing teeth, dental implants can help in many ways. With a complete smile, you can benefit from renewed confidence and improved quality of life. Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth, and this is why many Australians choose them when they need teeth replacement treatments.
Stages of Dental Implants
So how does the dental implant procedure work? There are five stages of dental implants:
- Initial consultation and pre-planning,
- Surgical placement of the implant,
- Jawbone to implant fusion,
- Abutment surgery,
- Final restoration placement.
Read along to find out what is involved in each step and how crucial they are to the success of the treatment.
Implant Consultation and Pre-Planning
First, our dentist will determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. Your oral and general health status and jawbone health are key factors that help ensure a safe and effective dental implant surgery. So the condition of your teeth, gums, and jaws will be evaluated using X-rays and CT scans.
Once approved, your dentist will create a comprehensive treatment plan for the dental implant procedure. Prior treatments such as tooth extraction and bone grafting may be necessary to attain a healthy mouth before surgery. They will also assess the best placement of the implants. Overall, the first phase will help run a smooth course for the rest of the stages of dental implants.
Dental Implant Surgery
The next step in the dental implant procedure is the surgical placement of the implant. Dental implants comprise a titanium screw, which will serve as the tooth root and foundation for the final tooth restoration. This screw will be surgically embedded and fixed into your jawbone to provide a permanent tooth replacement.
For that, your dentist will inject local anaesthesia on the implant site. Once numb, the gum will be incised to create access to the jawbone. Then, a hole will be drilled where the implant will be placed. We know this part sounds scary, but you can trust our experienced dentists for a relatively painless dental implant procedure with excellent results.
Osseointegration
After getting your implant placed, a few months are needed to allow your bone to grow around the implant. This process called osseointegration is crucial for the stability of dental implants and their long-term success. With successful osseointegration, your implants can function just like your natural teeth. So, you can chew and bite your favourite food as you usually would.
Osseointegration can take around 3 to 6 months. For good recovery and less risk of implant “rejection”, follow your dentist’s advice and practice good oral hygiene.
Abutment Placement
Once the implant has stabilised, another minor surgery is needed to place an abutment. This small component will link the screw with the final restoration. After getting the area anaesthetised and numbed, your dentist will open the gum and attach the abutment.
Recovery requires a shorter 2-week period. During this time, avoid smoking, hard foods, or any activity that may interfere with healing.
Designing and Fitting Your Final Restoration
The artificial tooth attachment can be a single dental bridge, crown, or partial or full dentures depending on the number of missing teeth. This is the only visible part of your dental implants. So, ultimately, your final restoration will be designed and colour matched to blend seamlessly into your smile.
As the final step of the dental implant procedure, several appointments may be required to design how the artificial tooth will look, adjust its fit and appearance, and finally, cement it in place. The result is a beautiful restoration that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth.
How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants?
Take care of your dental implants in the same way as your natural teeth. Practice good oral hygiene and attend frequent dental visits for check-ups and teeth cleaning. With excellent dental and general health, you can expect your dental implants to remain in perfect condition and serve their purpose well for a very long time.
Dental Implant Procedure at Bright-On Bay Dental
To complete these stages of dental implants, around 6 to 9 months may be needed. It takes quite a while, but the results are life-changing. At Bright-On Bay dental, we consciously practise strict implant protocols at every stage for a safe and effective dental implant procedure.
To learn more about dental implants, contact us on (02) 9538 7028 to schedule your appointment today!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
WebMD – Dental Implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants#:~:text=Embed%20Asset%20Override-,Can%20Anyone%20Get%20Dental%20Implants%3F,hygiene%20and%20regular%20dental%20visits.
Pubmed – Immediate or early placement of implants following tooth extraction: review of biologic basis, clinical procedures, and outcomes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15635942/
Healthline.com – What You Need To Know About A Dental Bone Graft
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-bone-graft
Fda.gov – Dental Implants: What You Should Know
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know
Pubmed – Osseointegration and dental implants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24473360/
Pubmed – Osseointegration: An Update
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602536/#:~:text=Osseointegration%2C%20defined%20as%20a%20direct,of%20end%20osseous%20dental%20implants
Pubmed – Oral hygiene for dental implant patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1866703/
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