Step-by-step process of Dental Implants

Dental implant treatment is becoming extensively popular across the globe. The process of dental implants is one of the best restoration services that provides a permanent solution for gaps in the mouths of people. An artificial tooth connected to a screw can replace the gaps in your mouth created due to an injury, accident, or tooth extraction. People often feel that the dental implant therapy is a painful and complex process. However, this isn’t true. Here is the step-by-step process of dental implants.

1. Assessment and Preparation

We first examine and take X-rays of the individual’s oral condition to find out if he or she has enough jaw bone to hold the implant. In case the person doesn’t have enough bone in the jaw to accommodate the implant successfully, we recommend the procedures of bone grafting or bone distraction. These procedures create a new bone on the implant site.

If you’ve had a bone graft, it can take 4-12 months before your jaw is ready for the first implant.

2. Anesthesia

After examining your mouth and making sure you have enough jaw bone, we start with the actual dental implant treatment. As the dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure, it requires the use of local anesthesia. We will start with anesthetizing the implant site with the right amount of anesthesia or sedation.<

3. Accessing the Bone

We then remove the gum tissues to expose the jaw bone where the implant will be placed. We make two incisions with the help of a scalpel and peel and push the gum flaps to access the bone

4. Pilot Hole Creation

A pilot hole in the bone is made by drilling halfway through the bone at the implant site. Using an alignment pin, we see to it that the hole is at the right depth and angle to accommodate the new dental implant.

5. Complete Drilling

We then widen and deepen the hole with a series of increasingly larger drills. We flush the site with distilled water to prevent the bone from overheating during the drilling process. Overheating can result in bone cell death which, in turn, will prevent successful osseointegration or the fusion of implant screw to the bone.

6. Threading the Hole

A thread-forming tool or a screw tap is used to create threads in the bone that match those found on the implant. On completion of threading, the hole is ready to receive the implant.

7. Implant Placement

Next, the implant or the screw is accurately inserted into the threaded hole. We then seal the implant from the rest of the mouth using a healing implant cap.

8. Gum Connection

We trim and shape the two flaps of gum tissue and reposition them back over the individual’s jawbone and around the healing cap. In some cases, we even place a few stitches to hold the gum in place

9. Healing Period

The gum and the implant screw is left to heal. Healing times can vary, depending on the position of the implant site. Usually, the implant is given a period of three to six months to osseointegrate.

10. Final Restoration

Once the implant is healed and ready to receive the restoration, we remove the implant cap. Then, we first attach an abutment to the screw as support or stem for the prosthesis. Depending on whether single or multiple gaps have to be replaced, either a crown or bridge is be fitted on top of the abutment. The crown or bridge is carefully prepared to match the color, shape, and size of the individual’s natural teeth.

If you are looking for a long-term resolution for your oral gaps, you can consider dental implants and achieve a complete perfect smile again. You can visit a dental clinic providing restoration services near you and find out whether implants is an ideal option for you or not.