Dental implants are a popular choice for those who are missing one or more teeth. Perth residents who are interested in the dental implants procedure should learn about what to expect before making a decision. This blog post will provide an overview of the dental implant process, from consultation to follow-up care.
If you’re considering dental implants, be sure to read this blog post first! It will give you an idea of what to expect before and after your procedure.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically implanted beneath your gums into your jawbone. They allow your dentist to put replacement teeth on them after they are in place.
Implants give solid support for fake teeth because they bond to your jawbone. Dentures and bridges supported by implants will not slip or shift in your mouth, which is very crucial when eating and speaking. This secure fit makes dentures and bridges, as well as individualised crowns placed over implants, feel more natural than standard bridges or dentures.
Ordinary bridges and dentures are just not comfortable or even practical for some people because ofBenefits Of Dental Implants painful places, inadequate ridges, or gagging. Furthermore, conventional bridges must be linked to teeth on either side of the gap formed by the lost tooth. The fact that no neighbouring teeth must be prepped or ground down to hold your new replacement tooth/teeth in place is an advantage of implants.
What To Expect During A Dental Implants Procedure
Mainly during the initial consultation and planning phase, the dental surgeon would also visually evaluate the location in the mouth at which a dental implant is being considered and dental imaging studies (X-rays, panoramic films, and CT scans). At this point, the jawbone’s quantity and quality are evaluated to determine whether or not bone density at the site is adequate.
Once it has been determined that a dental implant can be implanted in the desired position, the patient will be required to return for dental implant surgical operations. For any surgical procedure sessions, the patient is usually given a local anaesthetic to numb the surgical region and any other sedatives that may be required for comfort and anxiety relief throughout the process.
The extraction of a tooth or a group of teeth is frequently the first stage of oral surgery. There are many situations when a dental implant is placed when the implant site still has a damaged tooth present. To prepare for the insertion of a dental implant, it will be necessary to extract the tooth that will be replaced. The placement of an “alveolar bone graft” (cadaver or synthetic bone) is more often than not to provide a firm foundation for the implant.
For the next two to six months, the site will be allowed to heal. When there are no teeth present and bone loss is evident, a new type of bone transplant will be required, placed on top of the existing jawbone (“onlay bone graft”). This operation is more extensive and typically necessitates a recovery period of six to twelve months. When sufficient bone is available, it may be possible to extract the injured tooth and then perform the implant placement surgery all in one appointment. An “instant implant” placement process is referred to as.
Occasionally, when an implant is to be implanted in the maxilla (upper jaw), particularly in the back or posterior area, the amount of accessible bone may be reduced due to the existence of the maxillary sinus. This procedure, known as “sinus augmentation” or “sinus lift,” is used to raise the sinus floor and dental bone graft into the sinuses, respectively. This will increase the amount of bone available to support a dental implant.
Once an adequate, robust bone has been established, the spot is suitable for placing the implant. Dental implants (titanium posts) are surgically implanted into the jawbone using specialised instruments and drills during the implant placement session.
The implant is then covered with a “healing cap,” The gum is stitched back together. The healing phase then begins. It is possible to have a temporary denture built to replace missing teeth throughout this healing period for aesthetic reasons. The amount of time it takes to heal is strongly influenced by the quality of the bone there. In most cases, the healing process takes between two and six months.
During this period, the implant integrates with the surrounding bone structure. It is critical to avoid applying any force or stress to the dental implant during the healing process. Follow-up sessions to evaluate the surgery site are often scheduled to ensure that there is no infection and that recovery is progressing as expected.
After the appropriate healing period has passed, the dental implant is evaluated to see if the surrounding bone and bone substitute have successfully assimilated it. Once this has been established, a screw is used to attach a prosthetic component to the dental implant and complete the procedure. “Abutment” is the term used to describe this component. It will be used to secure the new replacement tooth, sometimes known as a “crown.” The dentist will take an impression of the abutment in the mouth, and the implant crown will be custom-made to match the abutment.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?
There are a plethora of considerations to consider before deciding whether or not dental implants are the best option for you. You’ve probably heard that implants might take a long time to complete. Let’s go over the steps one by one so you have a better understanding of the procedure.
Dental Examination
Prior to beginning any work, your dentist will want to schedule an appointment with you to perform a comprehensive exam to thoroughly assess your mouth’s health and your overall medical history. This may involve X-rays as well as 3D scans, among other things. Even if your dentist is very familiar with your mouth, you should have this procedure done to ensure that the health of your gums and jawbone is capable of supporting an implant and to develop the best treatment plan for you.
Dental surgery
As soon as you are done with the thorough examination, your dentist will schedule you for surgical intervention. The operation is the first and most important stage in the implant procedure. Using a surgical procedure, your dentist will insert the titanium implant into your jaw bone just below the gum line. This procedure takes approximately 1-2 hours for each implant that is being installed. Following the completion of this stage, most dentists would recommend a waiting period of approximately three months before performing the complete restoration of the tooth replacement. Although it may appear to be a hassle, the healing time is critical to ensuring that the dental implant treatment is a success. After the implant has been placed, it will take some time for it to integrate into the bone and become strong enough to support your ultimate restoration.
Recovery
Swelling, bruising, and soreness are common side effects of surgery, especially in the first few days. This can vary depending on how much surgery your dentist had to do in order to install the implant, particularly if a tooth had to be extracted as part of the procedure. The period of time that elapses between your implant procedure and the placement of your crown is quite critical. The length of that period is determined by the rate at which your gums and bones heal. This recuperation time usually lasts about three months.
Abutment placement and crown fitting
Fitting the abutment and crown to your implant is the final phase, which takes place after your implant has healed. This is a less invasive treatment. An abutment is a tiny cushion-like shock absorber that is put between the implant and the permanent crown during the dental implant procedure to stabilise the implant. This stage frequently entails exposing the gums for the implant to be inserted to ensure a suitable fit for the abutment and crown. It is then possible to attach your new artificial crown to the dental implant, and the entire dental implant procedure is completed.
It is reasonable to anticipate that the dental implant operation will take several months from beginning to end, depending on how well you plan and schedule the various procedures. The reward is a tooth that will last for the rest of one’s life. Have a talk with your dentist to better understand how long the procedure will take for you.
Can You Get Dental Implants with Bone Loss?
Yes, dental implants are an option for patients who have suffered from severe bone loss. In many circumstances, this can be accomplished without the need for extensive bone grafting treatments. Before selecting a dental implant solution, a trained dental specialist or oral surgeon takes a number of variables into account, including patient preferences.
Some of these considerations include the number of teeth that need to be replaced, the source of the patient’s bone loss, the amount of bone loss that has happened, and the location of the jaw in which the bone loss has occurred.
Can You Get Dental Implants with Gum Disease?
Gum disease progresses in phases, beginning with mild inflammation and bleeding (gingivitis) and progressing to more severe symptoms such as gaps between teeth, receding gums, and loose teeth.
Periodontitis in its severe state will result in tooth loss and bone loss around the teeth, as well as foul breath and abscesses. It is necessary for your mouth to be in good health in order to be a candidate for dental implants. You will not be eligible to have dental implants if you have gum disease at the time.
What to Expect After a Dental Implant Procedure
- A condition known as "peri-implantitis," which is the dental implant analogue of periodontal (gum) disease in natural teeth, poses a concern to patients who have dental implants placed. An infection of the gums and bone around the implant is referred to as peri-implantitis.
- The majority of the time, severe biting pressures applied to the implant or bacterial infection cause the inflammatory response of the surrounding tissues.
- If left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to the loss of an implant in the body.
- Periodic home maintenance and follow-up visits to the dentist are critical in preventing the development of this problem.
- Routine brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining good oral hygiene for a dental implant at home in order to keep food debris and plaque at bay.
- Regular check-ups In the dental office, the soft and hard tissues around the dental implant are examined, and specialised tools are used to remove tougher calcified deposits that have formed around the implant.
- It may be necessary to alter the bite in order to prevent the implant from being subjected to excessive biting forces.
Final Thoughts
Implants are a terrific technique to replace missing teeth without sacrificing the quality or functionality of the replacement teeth.
Dental implants are available at Ashburton Dental Centre for patients who have lost several teeth as a result of decay, accident, disease, trauma, or infection, among other reasons. Our highly trained team of professionals will assess your case and determine whether this implant treatment option is appropriate for you based on a variety of variables, including your health status and oral health goals, among other things.
We will guide you through every stage of the procedure, from deciding whether or not an implant is appropriate for your situation, to subsequent aftercare dental appointments when implants require maintenance work to be done over time. Never hesitate to contact us now to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Ashburton Dental Centre.