Dental Implant Procedures: Everything You Need to Know

Missing teeth can make your bite misaligned, which can change the shape of your face. They will also make you self-conscious about your smile.

If you choose to replace missing teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants to attach artificial teeth in or near your jawbone.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Over the course of several months, the bone around the implant will grow, holding it firmly in place. The replacement tooth is then attached to the implant with a metal connector, filling the gap.

If you're considering dental implants, here's some more information on what you can expect from the entire process.

1. Assessment

Your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if you are suitable for dental implants. And not all patients are strong candidates for dental implants. You need a certain level of healthy bone material to place dental implants. If you don't have enough bone material, your dentist may recommend smaller mini dental implants or bone grafting to improve the jaw at the surgery site.

2. Bone Graft

To increase the amount of healthy bone at the implant site, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. In most cases, the implant is placed when the tooth to be replaced is extracted, and this is done to preserve the position of the upcoming implant. Sometimes this is needed after teeth have been missing for a long time and some bone loss has occurred. Different types of bone graft materials can be placed and this will be discussed with you prior to your surgery. After implantation, the bone graft takes some time to heal before the implant can be placed.

3. Dental Implants and Temporary Crowns

Next, your dentist will place dental implants and possibly a temporary crown. For a single implant, the process takes about an hour or so to complete. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient to control any discomfort you may experience in the first few days after surgery.

4. Waiting and Healing

Your mouth needs time to heal before a permanent crown is placed. For many patients, this period lasts for several months. However, it may take six months or more for your jaw to heal enough to complete the dental implant procedure. Your dentist will evaluate your progress to determine when to schedule your final appointment.

5. Abutments and Crown

During your last appointment, your dentist will remove your temporary crown, attach the abutment to the implant, and place the permanent crown. Once done, you are done with the process. Your dentist may give you additional instructions on how to best care for your new dental implants.

Recovery

If your dentist uses intravenous sedatives, you will feel a little groggy for a few hours. Make sure you arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.

After the implant is placed, you may experience some bruising, swelling, light bleeding, and pain. You may be advised to eat soft, cold, and warm soups during recovery. To help relieve any pain, your dentist may recommend over-the-counter medications, including Advil (ibuprofen).

Long-term Care

Dental implants generally require the same dental hygiene as regular teeth. To keep them healthy, brush twice a day, floss, and visit your dentist regularly for follow-up visits.

Dental implants do not have cavities, but they can be affected by periodontal disease, so good dental care is very important.