Dental Implant Placement
Dentist South Austin
 Dental implant surgery is a multi-stage process that typically takes between three and nine months. We are here to help you better understand this process.
Dental Exam
A dental exam will help determine if you have enough healthy jawbone to support the dental implant as part of this preliminary evaluation. A bone transplant or other treatment may be recommended before dental implants may be placed if your jawbone is too thin or soft.
Additionally, you must not have any periodontal disease in your gums. Tooth loss can be remedied by having dental implants placed. Your options for the nature of the procedure and extent will be based on how many teeth you need to have replaced.
Inserting the Dental Implant
For a person receiving an endosteal implant, an oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums to reveal the jawbone below. To attach the implant, post holes must be drilled into the jawbone at a significant depth. You can hide the gap in your smile until the permanent tooth can be linked to the implant by using a removable denture if you like. A subperiosteal implant is one in which the post is placed on or above the bone rather than into it. Some soreness and edema are to be expected after getting any implant. The impact could be felt for a few days.
Osseointegration
The healing process following dental implant placement can take two to six months. In the process of osseointegration, the patient's jawbone fuses with and strengthens the dental implant. This secures it to serve as the "root" of the replacement tooth.
Setting Up an Abutment
An abutment, a metal extension, is often placed on the implant. This can be done using a local anesthetic either during the primary procedure or a subsequent, lesser treatment. An abutment must be employed to anchor the artificial tooth to the implant.
If gum tissue has developed above the implant, an incision may be necessary during the second surgery in which an abutment is inserted. This is because a healing cap is placed over the implant after surgically inserting it. This helps keep the implant safe and stops tissue from developing over it. The protective healing cap is removed at the second appointment, and the abutment is secured to the dental implant. The gums will eventually heal into the shape of the abutment. After having an abutment placed, the gums will take several weeks to recover.
Insertion of the Tooth
After the wound has healed, an impression of your teeth will be taken so that a permanent replacement tooth, or teeth, may be crafted to match your mouth. These may be permanent or removable. If a removable tooth is chosen, it will be anchored to the abutment by a metal frame. This tooth can be taken out of the mouth for routine cleanings. If you get a fixed tooth, it will be permanently glued or fastened into the abutment.
Teeth replacements today are quite lifelike in appearance and feel. They require the regular attention of brushing and dental flossing. They are like your regular teeth, so you should not change how you care for them. Additionally, it is important to schedule regular visits with our dentists here at (512) 441-8922. |
