A dental implant is unlike any other treatment for lost teeth because it mimics both the crown and the tooth root. This provides the next best thing to your real tooth, offering unmatched benefits. However, rebuilding a tooth from the root up won’t happen overnight. The process will occur in several steps, which can take many months to complete. Here’s how long you can expect it to take.
Consultation and Preparatory Procedures
Titanium implant posts will serve as new tooth roots, which will be surgically placed into your jawbone. However, before your dental implant surgery, you’ll first require a consultation with your dentist. They’ll examine your mouth and look at a CT scan of your oral structures to ensure you’re a candidate for dental implants. Based on their findings, you may need a little prep work before your placement surgery, like tooth extractions, bone grafting, or gum disease therapy. You must have recovered from any preliminary procedures before moving forward.
Dental Implant Surgery
Sedation or anesthesia will be used during your placement surgery, so you’ll need to arrange transportation to and from your appointment. After administering the medication, your dentist will open your gum tissue to expose your jawbone. They’ll create a small hole and insert your dental implant. Every situation differs, but the process usually takes 1-2 hours, depending on how many implants you will need. It can take a few hours for the effects of any medications to wear off, so you must take it easy for at least 24 hours.
Your dentist will review your aftercare instructions before you go home. In a couple of weeks, your gums will be healed, but it will take several weeks for your bone to fuse with your posts. Your bone must integrate with your implants through a process called osseointegration for your procedure to be successful.
Abutments and Restorations
After sufficient healing has occurred, you’ll need a minor procedure to attach abutments to your implants, which are special fixtures. Your dentist will also make an impression of your mouth to create your new teeth. Your gums will be healed in a week or two, just in time to head back to your dentist to have your restoration placed. You’ll walk out of your appointment with a stunning new smile.
Dental implants are well worth the wait. You’ll benefit from a solution with over a 95% success rate. Your investment can last for 30 years or longer with the right care, like brushing and flossing.
About Dr. Kenneth Endres
Dr. Endres achieved his dental degree at Howard University and has completed additional training in various aspects of dentistry, including oral surgery, sedation dentistry, and dental implants. He has nearly 40 years of experience in dental care. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (860) 288-8119.