A dental implant is a small prosthetic device inserted into the patient’s jawbone beneath the gum line to replace a missing tooth. So, dental implant surgery is a process of putting the implant in the most secure and stable manner possible for the patient.
A comprehensive and thorough diagnosis is the first step in the dental implant procedure. Sometimes, the patient may not be able to have a dental implant for some reason. According to experts, the patient must have perfect oral health for dental implants to prevent complications.
For this, implantologists examine the patient's mouth, obtain a thorough oral history, and estimate the jawbone density using imaging techniques, such as x-rays and CT scans. Thus, before moving on to the dental implant stage, prosthodontists ensure that the patient has no infections, cavities, or other minor issues.
In this blog, we will thoroughly discuss dental implant procedures. Let’s learn about the procedure and everything it involves.
How long does a dental implant procedure take?
Depending on your oral health, the dental implant procedure may take as little as 4-6 months or as long as 12 months or more. See the implant procedure timeline below for a step-by-step explanation of what happens during the operation:
- Initial Consultation - One-Day
- Pre-treatment surgeries - 3–12 months (It's optional)
- Implant placement - 1-2 weeks
- For healing and recovery - 3 to 6 months
- Building Implant Restoration - it may take a few weeks
- Placing Abutment - 1 to 2 Weeks
- Placement of final implant restoration - One day.
Is the dental implant procedure good for you?
Dental implants are recommended if you:
- Have broken or missing teeth
- There are no oral disorders that will interfere with bone repair
- Don’t want to wear dentures
- Have enough bone to hold the implants
- Are ready to go through the process for several months
What is the procedure for dental implants?
Dental implant surgery is done to fix ill-fitting dentures or bridgework. Furthermore, it is the ideal choice when the absence of natural tooth roots prevents the construction of dentures. Solid support for your new teeth is the main advantage of implants.
The type of implant used and your jawbone's health will determine how to proceed. There may be various processes involved in dental implant surgery. There are several stages in dental implant surgery that may prolong for many months since bone repair takes time.
Step By Step Dental Implants Procedure
Usually, a dental implant is carried out in stages over a few months, requiring several minor procedures and diagnoses.
Initial Consultation
If you want a dental implant, you should consult a specialist with knowledge and expertise in this field.
Step 1: Extensive Diagnosis
In the first step of the dental implant procedure, your implantologist takes scans and x-rays to crystal-clear understand where to place the implant.
Step 2: Initial Preparation and Incision:
In essence, this is the initial procedure stage in which the area of your gums that will receive the implant is lightly punctured. Next, dentists make an incision to reach the tooth socket where your lost tooth used to stand.
Step 3: Placing Abutment
In this step, your implantologist places the abutment in order to serve as the supporting component of the final crown. The abutment is required to guarantee a secure fit for the crown that won't be easily moved by pressure exerted while chewing.
Step 4: Making Room For the New Tooth
A few months after implant insertion, the bone around it starts growing. So, the dentist will build a foundation to replace the tooth after the implant is secure.
Step 5. Placing artificial teeth
The artificial tooth is cemented and screwed into the foundation in this final step.
Healing:
The gum and incisions take time to heal. Also, it may involve several appointments and visits to your prosthodontist for x-rays or scans.
Risks Involved:
Dental implant surgery carries various complications, just like any other procedure. However, though they are uncommon, they are often small and treatable.
The procedural risks involved are:
- Infection at the implant site
- Damage to nearby structures, such as blood arteries or teeth
- Natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin may experience pain, numbness, or tingling due to nerve injury.
- Sinus issues can occur if dental implants in the upper jaw intrude into a sinus cavity.
To conclude:
Apparently, the dental implant procedure looks like a very complicated and problematic process. To make it simpler and more manageable, choose a dental specialist with years of experience and the best dental implant instruments.
However, Implantologists should also prefer the best dental surgical instruments to carry out this complicated surgery effectively. So, if you are a prosthodontist, get your dental implant instruments from GerDentUSA - the most reliable source.
We manufacture and supply the best dental surgery tools, bringing innovation to dentistry. Buy the best-in-the-market dental implant kit to make your practice more efficient and attract more clients to your clinic.
