Dental implants are the most natural-looking replacement for a natural tooth and contain three parts, implant post (rod), abutment, and crown. It functions and appears just like natural teeth, so you can once again smile with confidence.
Before the dental implant procedure begins, it’s worth learning about the healing stages that can last between 6 to 12 months.
First Stage: Examination
During the initial consultation, your dentist will examine your mouth and jawbone to see if you are all okay to get dental implants. If the thickness or density of your jawbone is thin or soft, you may need to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift surgery.
While the first healing stage after a bone graft surgery will take just around 15 days, full recovery requires up to 9 months. After the jawbone and bone graft are completely fused, it’s time to get your implant.
If your tooth is excessively damaged and needs removal, the extraction site will require nearly 10 weeks to heal before the implant can be placed.
Sometimes the dental implant is fitted right away after a tooth extraction, but this happens only if you have adequate bone dentistry under the impaired tooth.
Second Stage: Implant Placement
For placing the implant, your surgeon will make a small cut in the gum tissue to reveal the jawbone underneath. Next, a small hole is drilled in the bone to insert the implant post. The final step is suturing and packing the gums with gauze.
Depending on your choice (to address your aesthetic concerns), a temporary denture can be placed on the hole until the permanent tooth is fitted on the implant.
If you’re getting a subperiosteal dental implant, there will be no drilling in your jawbone, and the titanium post will be inserted on the bone or above it.
After the dental implant is placed, there are two healing stages. At first, the surgery site will recover, which can take up to 2 weeks. To speed up the healing process, follow the instructions of your dentist, eat soft foods, rinse with salt water and avoid strenuous activities.
Osseointegration
Once the dental implant is placed, your mouth will require between two to six months before sufficient bone grows around the screw. This process is known as osseointegration, during which your natural jawbone will become strong and stay firm to work as the root of the artificial tooth.
While your surgery site recovers, follow a good oral care regime. Brush and floss your teeth two times a day, but don’t brush directly over the surgery area, which is necessary to avoid bleeding. With a clean mouth, the risk of infection and implant rejection is minimized.
Third Stage: Fitting the Abutment
Once the implant post has fused with your jawbone, you’ll have to revisit your dentist, where a minor surgery under local anesthesia will be performed to insert the abutment. This piece attaches the titanium post to the artificial tooth that will be placed in the last appointment.
Your dentist will open the gum tissue to reveal the screw. The metal extender will be placed, and the gum tissue will be closed around it.
Now you have to wait for the gum to heal, which requires several weeks or a month. During this time, it’s common to experience slight pain and discomfort. To manage the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers. Applying a cold compress to the side of your face will help reduce the swelling.
Fourth Stage: Placing the Restoration
After your gums recover from the placement of the abutment, you will again visit the dental office to get the artificial tooth restoration. During the appointment, your dentist will take the impression of the teeth around the dental implant site and the abutment. This is essential to make sure the crown perfectly resembles your other natural teeth.
The dental restoration is usually fabricated in a separate laboratory and may take up to a week or two. Once the crown is ready, it is fitted on the abutment and connected to the metal rod. This is the end of your dental implant journey. Now you can return home with a complete and healthy smile.
Contact us today!
We know that the process of getting implants is lengthy and involves pain and discomfort, but it has tremendous benefits. With dental implants, you can eat your foods like before and speak normally while the health of your jawbone gets better and better. If you are looking for affordable dental implants in San Jose, CA, to replace damaged or missing teeth, schedule an appointment with AT Dental care. We are always ready to help you find the right treatment, so you get to live happily and smile with confidence.