Tooth Implant Procedure: How Is It Done?
Tooth loss can affect an individual’s day-to-day functions, like eating and speaking comfortably. For most, it can also cause psychological distress and affect various areas of their life. Thankfully, there are restorative treatments like dental implants that can help in this aspect.
What Happens During the Procedure?
A conventional dental implant treatment can take three to six months to complete. To set your expectations, here is the general process involved during a tooth implant procedure:
Step 1: Placement of the implant on the jawbone
During this process, our oral surgeon will create an incision in your gum to expose the bone. A special drill will then be used to create a hole where the dental implant will be placed. Depending on the size of the cut, stitches might be needed to secure it over the gum. For people with insufficient jawbone mass, bone grafting is needed to help support the fixture.
After the surgery, it will take time for the implants to integrate with your jawbone. This process, also known as osseointegration, can last anywhere from six weeks to six months. During this time, a removable temporary denture will be inserted to help with the appearance.
Step 2: Attachment of the abutment
Once the gums are healed, and osseointegration is complete, a screw-like metal post called an abutment will be installed. This will serve as the connecting structure between the implant and artificial teeth.
To secure it in place, our dental surgeon will make a cut in your gums to expose the dental implant. The abutment will then be attached to the fixture. After this, the gum tissue will be closed around the screw-like post. A period of one to two weeks will be allotted to allow the tissue to heal.
Step 3: Insertion of the artificial teeth
Once your gums are fully healed, our dental specialist will make an impression of your mouth, which will be used in creating the prosthetic teeth.
Get Your Initial Consultation Today
At Exceptional Dental of LA, we make it our mission to help our patients regain confidence in their smiles. We offer high-quality implants that resemble the look and feel of natural teeth. To find out if you’re a suitable candidate, schedule your initial consultation with any of our locations.