Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and function. Dental implant surgery can provide a welcome alternative to ill-fitting dentures or bridgework, as well as an option when a lack of natural tooth roots prevents the construction of dentures or bridgework.
The manner in which dental implant surgery is performed is determined by the type of implant and the health of the jawbone. Surgical dental implant placement may involve multiple procedures. The primary advantage of implants is the solid support they provide for your new teeth, which requires the bone to heal tightly around the implant. Due to the necessity of time for bone healing, this process can take several months.
Dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they serve as the roots of missing teeth. Because the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants won’t slip, make noise or cause bone damage the way fixed bridgework or dentures might. And the materials can’t decay like your own teeth that support regular bridgework can.
In general, dental implants may be right for you if you: Have one or more missing teeth Have a jawbone that’s reached full growth , Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft ,Have healthy oral tissues Don’t have health conditions that will affect bone healing , Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures Want to improve your speech Are willing to commit several months to the process
How you prepare
The planning process for dental implants may involve a number of specialists, such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a periodontist, a prosthodontist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Due to the fact that dental implants require one or more surgical procedures, you must undergo a comprehensive evaluation prior to the procedure, including a:
Comprehensive dental exam. You can have dental X-rays, 3D images, and models of your teeth and jaw created.
Review the patient’s medical history. Inform your doctor of all medical conditions and medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and dietary supplements. Before surgery, if you have certain heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your physician may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
Treatment strategy This plan takes into account factors such as the number of teeth that need to be replaced and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.
Surgical anesthesia options include local anesthesia, sedation, and general anesthesia for pain management. Consult with your dentist regarding the best option for you. Depending on the type of anesthesia you have, your dental care team will instruct you on what to eat and drink prior to surgery. Plan to have someone drive you home after surgery if you receive sedation or general anesthesia, and expect to rest for the remainder of the day.
What you can expect
Typically, dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in stages, with healing time in between. There are multiple steps involved in implant placement, including:
Damaged tooth removal
if necessary, jawbone preparation (grafting)
Dental implant placement
Bone development and healing
Abutment placement
Implantation of false teeth
The entire process can take many months from start to finish. The majority of this time is spent healing and awaiting the growth of new jawbone. Depending on the circumstances, the procedure performed, or the materials used, certain steps may be combined.
If bone grafting is necessary
Dental bone grafting of the jaw , Jawbone graftOpen pop-up dialog box
Before you can undergo dental implant surgery, you may need bone grafting if your jawbone is too thin or too soft. Because your powerful chewing action exerts great pressure on your bone, and if it cannot support the implant, the surgery would likely fail. A bone graft can strengthen the implant’s foundation.
Several bone graft materials can be used to reconstruct a jawbone. A natural bone graft, such as one taken from another part of your body, or a synthetic bone graft, such as bone-substitute material that can provide support structures for new bone growth, may be options. Discuss with your physician the options that will work best for you.
It could take several months for the transplanted bone to generate sufficient new bone to support a dental implant. In some instances, you may require only minor bone grafting, which can be performed concurrently with implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone dictates your next steps.
Awaiting bone development
Once the implant post has been inserted into the jawbone, osseointegration (oss-ee-oh-in-tuh-GRAY-shun) commences. During this procedure, the jawbone grows into and fuses with the implant’s surface. This process, which can take several months, helps provide a solid foundation for your new artificial tooth, much like natural teeth’s roots do.
Setting up the abutment
When osseointegration is complete, you may need additional surgery to place the abutment — the piece where the crown will eventually attach. This minor surgery is typically performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia.
To install the buttress:
Your dentist will reopen your gums to expose the dental implant.
Attachment of the abutment to the dental implant
The gum tissue is then closed around, but not over, the abutment
In some instances, the abutment is attached to the implant post at the time of implantation. That means you won’t need an extra surgical step. Due to the fact that the abutment extends beyond the gumline, it is visible when you open your mouth and will remain so until your dentist completes the tooth prosthesis. Some individuals prefer to have the abutment placed in a separate procedure due to its appearance.
Your gums must heal for approximately two weeks after the placement of the abutment before the artificial tooth can be attached.
Selecting your new false teeth
Once your gums have healed, additional impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth will be taken. These impressions are used to create your crown, a replacement tooth that appears natural. The crown cannot be placed until the jawbone has sufficiently healed to support the new tooth.
You and your dentist can choose between removable, fixed, or a combination of both types of prosthetic teeth.
Removable. This type resembles traditional removable dentures and can be either partial or complete. It has white synthetic teeth surrounded by pink plastic gum. It is mounted on a metal frame that is connected to the implant abutment and snaps into place securely. It is easily removable for maintenance or daily cleaning.
Fixed. An artificial tooth is permanently screwed or cemented onto an implant abutment in this type. The tooth cannot be extracted for cleaning or while sleeping. Typically, each crown is secured to its own dental implant. However, because implants are exceptionally sturdy, a bridge of implants can be used to replace multiple teeth.
After the procedure
Whether you undergo one-stage or multiple-stage dental implant surgery, you may experience some of the common discomforts associated with any type of dental surgery, including:
Inflammation of your gums and face ,Damage to your skin and gums ,Discomfort at the implant site ,Normal bleeds
You may need pain medications or antibiotics after dental implant surgery. Contact your oral surgeon if swelling, discomfort, or any other problem worsens in the days following surgery.
As the surgical site heals, you may be required to consume soft foods after each stage of surgery. Your surgeon will typically use sutures that dissolve on their own. If your sutures do not dissolve on their own, your doctor will remove them.
