How dental implants are done?
Caring for my dental implant(s)
Your dentist or a specialized professional will conduct a thorough examination of your oral cavity and capture X-ray images of your head, jaw, and teeth to determine the suitability of dental implants for your situation.
In the first surgical stage, a dental implant is placed beneath your gum tissue into the jawbone by a dentist or specialist. The gum is then stitched back. As healing occurs, the implant bonds with the bone and gum, a process taking several months.
In the second phase of the surgical process, following tissue healing, your dentist or specialized professional will affix an abutment to the implant. This abutment serves as a connector, linking the replacement tooth to the implant. Occasionally, the initial and second stages of implant surgery may be combined into a single procedure.
Following this, a synthetic replacement tooth is fashioned and subsequently affixed to the abutment by either your dentist or a specialized practitioner. The process of precisely aligning the replacement tooth with the abutment may entail multiple appointments.
In situations where multiple or all teeth need replacement, a fixed bridge is secured to your dental implants. A bridge is a dental reconstruction that fills the gap of one or more missing teeth by extending across the empty space. The stability of the bridge is ensured through dental implants positioned on both sides of the absent tooth or teeth.
Maintaining the appearance and function of dental implants, which are surgically positioned in the jawbone, closely mirrors the care required for natural teeth. Employing a toothbrush and floss to ensure cleanliness is crucial, and your dentist will guide you through the appropriate cleaning regimen for your implants. Consistent dental checkups hold significance to allow your dentist to confirm both the stability of your bite and the secure positioning of your implants.
What else should I know?
Completion of the implant process might entail multiple visits to your dentist or dental specialist.
Throughout the subsequent year, scheduled checkups will ascertain the optimal functionality of your implants.
Exemplary maintenance of your implants is imperative.
While dental implants might involve a higher upfront cost compared to other teeth replacement options, they are generally a one-time investment, unlike alternative procedures.
While uncommon, potential complications tied to dental implants encompass infrequent instances of bleeding, infection, numbness, or minor damage to neighbouring muscles or the sinus cavity. In isolated cases, an implant might not achieve success due to insufficient bone bonding.