Do you believe getting dental implants is just like sticking a mouthguard to protect your teeth? The process of dental implants is similar to minor surgery and if you are unfamiliar with dentistry as most people are you may have difficulty understanding the procedure of inserting dental implants.

The goal of dental implant surgery is to replace missing teeth and roots with artificial replacements. They are a comfortable alternative to conventional full mouth dentures.

Are You Considering Dental Implants for Replacing Missing or Damaged Teeth?

If you want to have dental implants to replace a missing tooth or damaged teeth you must have the following attributes.

• One or more teeth must be missing in your mouth.
• Your teeth must be damaged beyond repair.
• You must be maintaining good oral hygiene.
• You have sufficient bone in the jaw to support the implants.
• You must be in overall decent physical health.

If you want to understand whether implant surgery is the right option for you these are the things you can discuss with your dentist.

What Can Be Expected from Dental Implant Surgery?

You cannot assume you will be able to enter the operating room with gaps in your mouth and walk out with new teeth. The surgical procedure needs outpatient care because it will be performed in several stages.

If you have a damaged or impacted tooth in your mouth an extraction will be required under local anesthesia. Thereafter if your jaw has an insufficient bone to support the implants you may need a bone graft whereby the dentist will be removing a small piece of bone from other parts of your body to surgically embed it into your jawbone. The jawbone will then be allowed time to heal before the dentist places the titanium metal dental implant in your jaw. In reality, it is screwed into the jawbone to provide maximum strength. After the implant has been inserted you will undergo another healing phase that could last several months and is known as osseointegration.

The surgeon will attach the abutment to the implant after you have healed completely. When the soft tissue heals after the abutment is placed the dentist will take an impression of your teeth and jawbone. Finally, an artificial tooth will be placed on the abutment.

Different Stages of Dental Implant Procedure along with the Timeline

The first stage is to discuss the procedure with dental implants in Rowlett, Texas, about the mode. During this appointment, the professionals will be doing a comprehensive dental exam, take x-rays of your mouth and impressions of your teeth. During the consultation, the dentist will discuss with you the recommended treatment plan by going over the steps of the procedure along with the timeframe as well as the recovery phase. You may also discuss whether you need a bone graft or not.

If you need a bone graft the time taken by your jaw for the first implant will be approximately 4 to 12 months for allowing the bone to heal properly.

You will be ready to have the implant placed into your bone to act as an anchor for the entire process. This procedure will take a couple of hours but you will be asleep for the whole time because of anesthesia. After the placement of the implant, you need to wait for another five months for the healing if it is on the lower jaw and seven months for the upper jaw. You will be ready for the next stage after your mouth has healed properly.

Placing the Temporary Crown

After the implants have integrated with the jawbone the dentist will place a healing collar or a temporary crown to allow the gum tissue to heal properly. The collar will remain in your mouth for 10 to 14 days. After the tissue has healed the dentist will remove it to move to the next step.

Placing the Abutment

The abutment which is screwed into the implant and supports the crown will be the next stage of the process. Impressions of the abutment will be taken by the dentist for each replacement tooth after the abutment is placed. Thereafter you will be fitted with a temporary crown while the tissue continues to heal and form around the artificial tooth just like your natural teeth. The temporary crown must be worn for about 4 to 6 weeks. Your permanent crown will be developed during this time.

Getting the Permanent Crown

Placing the permanent crown is the final stage of the procedure. The crowns will be screwed onto the abutment or bonded in place to give you a natural-looking tooth. You can choose to have a removable crown or even a fixed crown but are suggested to opt for the latter because it is much stronger than the former.

If you have decided to have dental implants for your missing or damaged teeth you must be prepared to endure these processes information of which may not be available in detail with the dentist near you. However, if you believe it is the best option for you and you have been confirmed as a suitable candidate you can certainly go ahead with the treatment to have the beautiful smile you always had.