A Dental Implant is having an artificial root and tooth placed in your jaw. There are three basic parts to an implant 1) the metal screw like post that acts as the root of the tooth. 2) An abutment (used to attach the crown to the metal post. 3) the crown itself.
Why it's done
Dentists use dental implants to replace missing teeth. Patients often prefer to get dental implants instead of dentures or bridgework. Sometimes it is the only option when there is lack of natural teeth to allow building a denture or bridge. The major benefit of implants is having solid support for your new teeth.
What you can expect
Dentists typically perform dental implants in stages and as outpatient surgery. Expect to require healing time between each procedure. The process of placing a dental implant involves:
Damaged tooth removal
Jawbone preparation (grafting), when needed
Dental implant placement
Bone growth and healing
Abutment placement
Artificial tooth placement
The entire process can take many months from start to finish. Don’t discourage though, the results can be more than worth the wait.
How to prepare
Because dental implants require one or more surgical procedures, you must have a thorough evaluation to prepare for the process. An evaluation includes:
Comprehensive dental exam. You may have dental X-rays and 3D images taken, and have models made of your teeth and jaw.
Review of your medical history. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions and any medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements. If you have certain heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.
Treatment plan. Tailored to your situation, this plan takes into account factors such as how many teeth you need replaced and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.
The planning process for dental implants may involve a variety of specialists. Your dentist will go over with you if you need a specialist and what the specialist will do.
When bone grafting is required
If your jawbone isn't thick enough or is too soft, you may need bone grafting before you can have dental implant surgery. You must have enough bone to support the implant otherwise the implant may fail. Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure that is normally done in a dental office. The dentist makes an incision in your gum to gain access to the bone beneath it, and then grafting material is added. Most often, the grafting material is processed bone minerals around which your body will actually make new bone cells.
It may take several months for the transplanted bone to grow enough new bone to support a dental implant. In some cases, you may need only minor bone grafting, which can be done at the same time as the implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone determines how you proceed.
Placing the dental implant
During surgery, to place the dental implant, your oral surgeon makes a cut to open your gum and expose the bone. The surgeon drills holes into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as the tooth root, it's implanted deep into the bone.
At this point, you'll still have a gap where your tooth is missing. A type of partial, temporary denture can be placed for appearance, if needed. You can remove this denture for cleaning and while you sleep.
Waiting for bone growth
Once the metal implant post is placed in your jawbone, the jawbone begins to grow and unite with the surface of the dental implant. This process can take several months. It helps provide a solid base for your new artificial tooth — just as roots do for your natural teeth.
Placing the abutment
The abutment is the “connecting piece” that joins the implant and the crown together. Once the jawbone and post have fully united you will be ready to have the abutment placed. This minor surgery is typically done with local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
To place the abutment:
Your oral surgeon reopens your gum to expose the dental implant
The abutment is attached to the dental implant
The gum tissue is then closed around, but not over, the abutment
In some cases, the abutment is attached to the dental implant metal post when the post is implanted. That means you won't need an extra surgical step. Because the abutment sticks out past the gum line, however, it's visible when you open your mouth. Some people don't like that appearance and prefer to have the abutment placed in a separate procedure.
After the abutment is placed, your gums must heal for about two weeks before the artificial tooth can be attached.
Choosing your new artificial teeth
Once your gums heal, you'll have more impressions made of your mouth and remaining teeth. The dentist uses these impressions are used to make the crown — your realistic-looking artificial tooth. The crown can't be placed until your jawbone is strong enough to support use of the new tooth.
You and your dental specialist can choose artificial teeth that are removable, fixed or a combination of both:
Removable. This type is similar to a conventional removable denture and can be a partial or full denture. It contains artificial white teeth surrounded by pink plastic gum. It's mounted on a metal frame that's attached to the implant abutment, and it snaps securely into place. It can be easily removed for repair or daily cleaning.
Fixed. In this type, an artificial tooth is permanently screwed or cemented onto an individual implant abutment. You can't remove the tooth for cleaning or during sleep. Most of the time, the dentist attaches each crown to its own dental implant. However, because implants are exceptionally strong, several teeth can be replaced by one implant if they're bridged together.
After the procedure
Whether you have dental implant surgery in one stage or multiple stages, you may experience some of the typical discomforts associated with any type of dental surgery, such as:
Swelling of your gums and face
Bruising of your skin and gums
Pain at the implant site
Minor bleeding
You may need pain medications or antibiotics after dental implant surgery. If swelling, discomfort or any other problem gets worse in the days after surgery, contact your oral surgeon.
After each stage of surgery, you may need to eat soft foods while the surgical site heals. Typically, your surgeon will use stitches that dissolve on their own. If your stitches aren't self-dissolving, your doctor removes them.
Risks
Like any surgery, dental implant surgery poses some health risks. Problems are rare, though, and when they do occur they're usually minor and easily treated. Risks include:
Infection at the implant site
Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin
Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities
Results
Most dental implants are successful. Sometimes, however, the bone fails to fuse sufficiently to the metal implant. Smoking, for example, may contribute to implant failure and complications. In such a case, the surgeon removes the implant, the bone is cleaned up, and you can try the procedure again in about three months.
You can help your dental work — and remaining natural teeth — last longer if you:
Practice excellent oral hygiene. Just as with your natural teeth, keep implants, artificial teeth and gum tissue clean. Specially designed brushes, such as an interdental brush that slides between teeth, can help clean the nooks and crannies around teeth, gums and metal posts.
See your dentist regularly. Schedule dental checkups to ensure the health and proper functioning of your implants and follow the advice for professional cleanings.
Avoid damaging habits. Don't chew hard items, such as ice and hard candy, which can break your crowns — or your natural teeth. Avoid tooth-staining tobacco and caffeine products. Get treatment if you grind your teeth.
We provide dental implants here at Fair Oaks Quality Dental. If you have any questions or are considering getting dental implants, we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment with you. Come in for an exam and we can answer all of your questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nahid Afshari