Helping You Understand Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the dental treatment options for missing teeth. It offers a more realistic appearance and comfortable experience compared to dentures. You may, however, find that it is recommended for younger and stronger people, not older. This is because dental implant procedures require surgery; the treatment and healing process can also run for months to completion.

Here is everything you need to know about dental implants and dental implant procedures.

What Are Dental Implants?

These are small titanium screw-like/rod-like fixtures that are drilled into your jawbone to act as a root or attachment point for an artificial dental crown.

Dental Implants Procedure

Before the procedure

The dentist may need to run a few tests first. Since surgery is involved, the dentist has to make sure that you are in good overall health and placing you under general anaesthesia won't bring about devastating risks.

Your dentist may also want some X-rays taken to inspect your jawbone. This is crucial in finding out whether you need other treatments first to make a dental implant procedure possible or viable.

If everything checks out, your dentist will discuss with you the entire process, how to get ready for the procedure, what you can expect afterwards, how much the dental implant procedure costs and other relevant details. This is also the time to ask all the questions you might have, regardless of how awkward or stupid you may think they sound.

Dental implant procedure

Dental implant procedures require two treatment stages.

During the first dental implant treatment stage, your dental surgeon places you under general anaesthesia and cuts into your gum to expose the jawbone; they then drill a hole in it. The dental implant, which is in most cases made of titanium, is then screwed into this hole.

The dentist then applies a cover/lid on the dental implant to avoid cutting into your gum during the second treatment stage. Once this is done, they sew your gum around the dental implant cover (this marks the end of the surgery). Your dentist may need to monitor you for a day or two and then send you home to heal for about four to eight weeks.

The healing time allows the dental implant to fuse with your jawbone; your dentist may require you to visit the dental clinic for regular monitoring.

During the second dental visit, your dental surgeon opens/removes the cover and fits/attaches a dental crown on the dental implant.

For more information about dental implants, talk to your dentist.

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