Dental implant surgery is a surgical procedure to place a dental implant into the jaw bone. Dental implants are anchored in the bone to provide a solid foundation for replacement teeth by replacing natural tooth roots. If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants.
If you are considering dental implant surgery, you may wonder what the surgery process is like. Dental implant surgery may sound daunting, but the process is actually simple. The surgery steps may differ depending on the patient’s case, but some general steps are followed in this procedure.
In this blog post, we’ll outline the steps of dental implant surgery so you know what to expect. Remember that every patient’s experience may vary, so consult with your dentist beforehand if you have any questions. Let’s get started!
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a fairly straightforward procedure that can restore the smile of patients who are missing natural teeth. It is a multi-step process that begins with the placement of titanium screws into the jaw bone and ends with the attachment of artificial teeth. Here is a brief overview of what to expect.
Initial Consultation and Preparation
The journey to a brand new smile begins with a consultation with an implant dentist. During the initial consultation, the dentist will examine the patient’s natural teeth, gum tissue, jaw bone density, height and thickness, and sinus levels. X-rays and scans will also be taken during this time.
Based on this information, they will develop a treatment plan that may or may not involve these procedures: tooth extraction, bone grafting, gum grafting, or sinus lift.
Tooth removal or extraction is only necessary if the decayed or damaged tooth is still present. The extracted tooth (or teeth) will be replaced with dental implants.
Bone grafting prepares the jaw bone for implant placement if there is inadequate bone to support the implant. This procedure uses natural or synthetic bone material to build up the jaw bone.
Similarly, a gum graft may be necessary if the patient does not have enough gum tissue to cover the dental implant and bone. This involves taking tissue from another area of the mouth and placing it over the exposed jaw bone.
Finally, a sinus lift may be performed if there is not enough space in the sinus cavity to accommodate the dental implant. This procedure involves raising the sinus membrane and adding bone material in the area.
Each patient’s treatment plan will be unique based on their specific needs. However, all patients can expect a thorough initial consultation and detailed implant treatment plan before beginning their dental implant journey.
Implant Installation
The implant installation stage of dental implant surgery involves placing the titanium screws into the jaw bone. Implant placement begins with a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the area where the implant will be placed. The screws will be embedded in the bone and will be left to fuse with the jaw bone, which can take several months. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be placed on top of the screw.
Osseointegration
Once the implant post is in place, it must be given time to fuse with the bone. This process can take anywhere from three to six months. During this time, the wound and surrounding area must be kept clean to avoid infection and implant failure. After osseointegration is complete, the next step of dental implant surgery can begin.
Abutment Placement
The abutment placement stage of dental implant surgery involves the attachment of an abutment or a connector over the dental implant. This stage usually takes place about 3-6 months after the initial dental implant surgery, when the natural teeth, jawbone, and gum tissue have had time to heal.
The abutment (a small metal connector piece) is placed into the existing dental implant during this second surgery. Once the abutment is in place, it will serve as the base for the replacement tooth (or teeth).
The abutment placement stage of dental implant surgery is quick and relatively painless, and it paves the way for the final stage of dental implant surgery: prosthesis placement.
Dental Prosthesis Placement
The prosthesis placement stage is the final step of dental implant surgery, where the prosthesis or the replacement tooth is placed on top of the implant. The prosthesis may be in the form of a dental crown, denture, or bridge.
The surrounding gum tissue is lifted to place the prosthesis so the implant can be exposed. Once the prosthesis is in place, the gum tissue is sutured around it.
The entire process of prosthesis placement usually takes about an hour to complete. Afterwards, patients must avoid putting too much pressure on the implant as it heals. Once it has healed, they can eat and speak normally.
How Do You Prepare For The Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is a procedure that requires preparation to be successful. Here are some things to do in preparation for a dental implant.
- Consult your dentist or oral surgeon to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. Candidacy is determined by the condition of the natural teeth, gums and jawbone.
- If you have cavities or other dental problems, get them taken care of before scheduling your implant surgery.
- If you have insufficient bone or gums for dental implants, address these problems before implant placement. The implants will be placed directly into the jawbone, and the gum tissue will need to heal around the implants, so making sure they are in good shape before the surgery contributes to better results.
- Quit smoking before the surgery. Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of implant failure and other complications.
- Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions for preparing for the surgery. They will know precisely what you need to do to achieve better treatment results.
Following these tips can help make your dental implant surgery go as smoothly as possible.
Are You Put To Sleep During The Procedure?
One of the most common questions patients have about dental implant surgery is whether or not they will be put to sleep during the procedure. The answer to this question depends on the type of anesthesia and sedation used.
To minimise discomfort during dental implant surgery, the dentist may choose from these various types of anesthesia and sedation.
- Local anesthesia numbs the gum tissue and jawbone around the implant site.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation is delivered directly to the bloodstream, resulting in more effective sedation. This relaxes the patient but does not put them to sleep.
- General anesthesia puts the patient to sleep during dental implant surgery.
To determine the level of sedation you need, your dentist will consider your medical history and degree of patient anxiety. A dental professional will closely monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.
Final Thoughts
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and provide a more secure and comfortable fit than dentures. They can also help preserve your jawbone and prevent your face from sagging.
Dental implant surgery is a multi-step process that usually takes several months to complete. This means it’s important to be patient and to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully to ensure a successful outcome.
Thank you for reading our blog post about dental implant surgery. We hope that you have found it informative and helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Clear Choice Dental. You may call our clinics in Yokine or Maddington. You can also book an appointment through our website. We would be happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
The healing process of the gum tissue is just as important as the healing of the jawbone, as it helps to ensure that the dental implant is securely in place.
Many patients are not sure how long it will take for their gums to heal after the surgery. The short answer is that it depends on the individual case, as recovery time and healing period vary from person to person. In general, it takes around six to eight weeks for the gums to heal completely.
In most cases, the edges of the dental implant site will start to heal within a few days after surgery, and whatever mild pain the patient has felt usually subsides. However, it can take up to several months for the gum tissue to fully heal and cover the dental implant.
It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions during this healing period to help your gums heal properly. This includes eating only soft foods, avoiding tobacco products, and practising good oral hygiene.
After your gums fully heal, you can expect them to look and feel just like your real teeth and gums.
There are a few instances in which dental implants are needed:
- When you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth due to an injury, disease, or dental decay
- When you want to improve your smile
- When you want to restore your chewing function
- When you want to support dental bridges or dentures
- When you’re looking for other options as an alternative to dentures or dental bridges
Several factors can affect the cost of dental implant surgery, including the type of implant (endosteal implants vs subperiosteal implants), the number of teeth being replaced (single tooth vs multi-tooth implants), the condition of the jawbone and gum tissue, and whether any additional procedures are needed.
Additional oral surgery procedures such as bone grafting, sinus lifts, gum grafts, and tooth extraction are separate procedures and can add to the overall cost.
In general, dental implants cost between \$3,000 and \$6,000. However, the total cost will vary depending on the patient’s needs.
There are many benefits of dental implants, including the following:
- Dental implants are strong and durable and can last for many years with proper care.
- Because dental implants fuse to the jawbone, they provide stable support for dental prosthetics. They help improve chewing and speaking functions.
- Dental implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support, so they don’t put extra stress on these teeth.
- They can help to preserve the health of your jawbone. When you lose a tooth, the bone around it begins to deteriorate. Tooth implants can help to prevent bone loss by stimulating the growth of new bone cells.
- Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. You can eat your favourite foods and smile confidently.
- Dental implants can help keep your natural teeth healthy by preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
