Dental implants are an investment of both time and money. While there are multiple options for dental implants, having traditional implants often requires several dental visits. However, once your implants are in place, you'll never have to worry about your missing teeth again and can feel confident with your new smile. Here's what to expect from the dental implant procedure.
Your Dental Implant Consultation
The first step in the dental implant process is a consultation with one of our friendly and experienced dentists. They will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums, review your medical and dental histories, and discuss your goals and expectations for your missing tooth or teeth. If you decide together that dental implants are right for you, you will get digital radiographs and an optical scan of your teeth and gums (a virtual impression). These will help the dentist plan for your surgery.
Pre-Implant Procedures
During the consultation, our dental staff will determine if you need any dental work to be a good candidate for dental implants. For example, if you have gum disease, you will need to receive treatment before beginning the dental implant process, or if your dental implants will replace teeth that are still in your mouth, the dentist will need to remove those teeth first.
The bone density of your jaw is one of the most critical factors in determining whether you are a candidate for dental implants. Some patients require bone grafting or a sinus lift to augment their jaw before dental implant surgery if x-rays reveal that they have lost bone mass. Dental implants must have the stability of strong jaw bones for the best possible chance of success.
Dental Implant Placement
You can have dental implant surgery after healing from any necessary supplemental procedures. Your dentist will give you local anesthetic injections to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Some patients may also need dental sedation to help them relax. The dentist will place small posts that replace the roots of your teeth in the jaw through an incision in the gum. Your dentist will suture or stitch your gums, allowing for osseointegration to occur— the process of the bone growing around the implant posts.
Abutment Placement
In some dental implant patients, osseointegration can take as long as six months or longer. However with the use of modern dental implants we usually wait 3-4 months for healing. During this time, your jawbone and the dental implants fuse together to create a secure base for teeth restoration. When your dentist is sure that osseointegration has occurred, they will attach abutments to your dental implants. Abutments connect your dental implants and your restorations. You will have the option of a temporary restoration while waiting for the fabrication of your permanent restoration.
Restoration Placement
Now it's time for another optical scan of your teeth and gums, so your dentist can craft your restorations. Restorations can be:
- Full dentures
- Partial dentures
- Bridges
- Crowns
The dentist will screw or place the restoration onto the abutment in the office, completing the dental implant process. Your dentist will review maintenance and how to care for your new set of teeth. You will walk out the door feeling confident with your new smile!
Learn More About Dental Implant Procedures in Westbury, NY
Contact JM Dental of Westbury today to learn more about your dental implant options. You can reach us by phone at 516-334-3444 or contact us online.