Dental implants are a great way to restore missing teeth in your smile! A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed by an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist and is then restored with the implant prosthesis by your Dentist. Dental implants also serve to support bone structure by stimulating bone regeneration and preventing bone deterioration. Implants can support an individual crown or a partial or full denture and with proper care and maintenance, can easily last a lifetime. Dental implants are one of the more costly dental restoration treatment options but because of their durability and longevity, they may be more cost effective for some patients.
What is the procedure for dental implants?
Before you begin treatment, your dentist will refer you to an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist for an evaluation. They will not only examine your tooth structure but also your jawbone to make sure that you have sufficient bone structure, which is vital to the success of the implant. In the event that a patient does not have enough bone structure to support an implant, they may need to receive a bone graft prior to implant surgery. Once the implant doctor determines that you are a candidate for dental implants, they will explain the procedure and healing time and schedule you for surgery.
To begin, your doctor will administer a local anesthetic to the area being treated and then make a small incision in the gum tissue in order to access the job bone. They will then drill a small hole into the bone and place the titanium implant.
After the implant has been placed, they will suture the gum tissue around the implant leaving a small portion of the post exposed which will then be covered by a temporary abutment to protect the implant as you heal. Throughout your healing time, we will see your implant specialist periodically for follow ups to make sure the implant is healing properly and integrating with your jawbone. Healing time after implant placement can be up to six months, during which the implant or fuse with your jawbone. Once your doctor has determined that your implant is fully integrated and ready for restoration, they will notify your general Dentist.
Will I have a gap in my smile during healing?
Before you have your implant placed, your dentist will fabricate a temporary appliance complete with a fake tooth to give you the appearance of a complete smile as well as to provide some additional protection for the implant. Your Dentist will either give the appliance to you before your implant appointment or send it directly to your implant doctor. There are a few options that your Dentist may consider for your temporary appliance. Together, you will decide what type of appliance is best for you and your lifestyle so it is important that you disclose your dietary habits with your Dentist so they are able to take these factors into consideration. Options for your temporary appliance may include:
- Essix retainer: An essix is made from a thin, clear plastic that fits over the entire arch of teeth with a composite material in the space for your artificial tooth. It should be removed for eating, sleeping, and oral hygiene.
- Flipper denture: A flipper is made of acrylic and looks like a Hawley retainer with a fake tooth attached to fill the space and hooks onto other teeth. It should be removed for eating, sleeping, and oral hygiene.
- Temporary bridge: A dental bridge uses crowns to affix to the teeth on either side of the affected space, which are joined together with a fake tooth that will fill the space. This can be temporarily cemented in place for easy removal. It is not removed for eating, sleeping, or oral hygiene. Your Dentist will remove it right before they place your permanent restoration.
- Immediate temporary crown: A provisional (temporary) crown can be placed on your implant and is often used on the front teeth to give the patient the appearance of a tooth and allow the gum tissue to heal around the temporary in preparation for the permanent implant crown.
For patients who have worn a denture and are now having dental implants placed, they may be able to wear their denture as usual while they heal. Your doctor will let you know if this is appropriate for you.
While dental implants are expensive and take a significant amount of time to complete, the comfort and stability that comes along with them often makes it worth the effort and expense for some patients. If you need to have one or more teeth replaced, speak with your Dentist to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.