The Dental Implant Procedure.

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    Posted by Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD

     dental implant procedure

    According to the website WebMD, despite the improvements in dental care in recent years, many people still have teeth that are less than healthy. They don't care for their teeth properly, leading to decay and periodontal disease, as well as injuries. All of these lead to teeth loss.

    If you lost your teeth a few years ago, you didn't have many options. You might have had to get bridges or even dentures (depending on how many teeth you actually lost).

    Lucky for you, there are several dental implant procedures and  options that are available to you today. After speaking to your dentist, he or she may talk to you about dental implants. These are often the best option because they are actually made to replace your roots so they are very strong.

    Dental implants are metal posts (similar to screws) that will get implanted into your jaw. Once they are healed, you will get artificial teeth to place on top of them.

    You may be worried about the actual procedure of getting implants and that is normal. For this reason, we believe that it helps to know what is going to happen before you go in for your appointment. So, here is the procedure to get dental implants.

    Before you get started, it is important to know that dental implant surgery can take several steps (and procedures). However, the depth depends on the condition of your jawbone, as well as the type of implant that you choose.

    The first thing that needs to be done is removing your damaged tooth (if it hasn't already fallen out). Then, we need to prepare your jawbone for surgery. There are times when a bone graft is necessary (which is just another step in the process).

    bone graft for dental implants procedure

    So, why would you need bone grafting? If your jawbone is too thin or soft, you may need to get a bone graft. If you don't, your implants may fail. It is important to have a strong jawbone in order to have the best chance of success.

    Because of this, we may need to remove a part of bone from somewhere else in your body (such as your hip). There are times when we may consider using artificial bone instead.  Once your bone graft is completed, it can take a few months for the bone to grow enough new bone to be strong enough for your implants.

    There are times when you may not need a large bone graft so we may be able to get away with a minor procedure that can be done at the same time as your implant surgery.

    Once your mouth is ready for the surgery, we will cut your gum open so that we can see the bone. Then, we drill holes into the bone and place metal posts into your jawbone.

    dental implant procedure

    It gets placed deep in the bone to ensure that it is strong. Once your jawbone heals with the posts, you will need to have additional surgery. At this time, the abutment is placed right into your dental implant so that you can attach your new tooth.

    Again, your gums will need to heal before your artificial tooth can be attached. You can choose to have removable ones or ones that are fixed, depending on your needs.  Because it can take a few months for you to heal properly, getting implants can take a little bit of time.

    Don't hesitate to contact us for more information about dental implants. We want your new teeth to be as strong as your roots, giving you the best chance at a normal life with your new teeth.

    Topics: Dental Implants

    dental implants guide

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