If you are in need of tooth replacement then your dentists may have recommended a dental implant procedure. But what are dental implants and what should you expect during the process? Our dentists share information about dental implants and what to expect.
There are a variety of reasons why you may be missing some teeth. Whether by injury or oral health conditions you will need to have the missing tooth replaced in order to help preserve the jaw bone and remaining teeth. Here our dentists are here to offer some general information about dental implants, how they work and what you can expect from the dental implant procedure.
In cases where bone grafting is required prior to beginning the dental implant procedure, you will need four to six months to complete the bone grafting procedure and prepare the jaw bone to support the new implant. This will be necessary for the success of your dental implant procedure.
In cases where extraction is required before the implant procedure, there may or may not be a healing period directly following the extraction. Thanks to new advances in dentistry, dentists can often place the implants at the same time as they do the extraction. Your dentists will be able to place the dental implant immediately after performing the tooth extraction allowing for both procedures to be completed in the same visit. Healthy patients will take approximately a week to heal during this stage of the dental implant procedure.
Once the implant has been placed you will need to wait between four to six months while the bone becomes integrated with the implant metal. At that time the next part of the dental implant procedure can begin.
Finally, your dentist is able to add an abutment to your dental implant to which either an artificial tooth (a dental cap) or denture will be attached. Once your new tooth is in place you will be able to get back to using your teeth just as you always have.