The term dental implants procedure is not one that rings a bell immediately. It is safe to say that knowledge of dental implants is limited. There are several advantages to getting dental implants. But first, let’s understand what dental implants are.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a prosthetic replacement for missing teeth. Invented by a Swedish orthopedic in 1972, today, dental implants are considered as standard care for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is surgically fixed into the jawbone to integrate with the bone for a few months. It acts as the root for the missing tooth providing support for the replacement tooth. Dental implants do not affect nearby teeth. The process of integrating the dental implant with the jawbone is known as “Osseointegration.” Usually, dental implants are made of titanium. It is because the body does not recognize titanium as a foreign object. Titanium can easily integrate with the jawbone. The success rate for dental implants, thanks to Science and Technology today, stands close to 98%.
How long does the process take to get dental implants?
A single tooth dental implant ideally takes about 2 hours and can be done in one dental appointment. It includes the time taken for the pre-procedure dental examination, as well as the time taken to sedate the area before the procedure. The time taken varies from individual to individual based on factors like:
- The number of missing teeth that require replacement.
- The location of the missing teeth.
- Cases where the teeth must be removed first before the procedure.
- Infections or other dental complications that require treatment first before the procedure.
In some cases, the individual might have to visit the dentist more than once for the dental implant procedure.
Dental Implants – The Procedure
Similar to other surgical procedures, the individual may experience some discomfort post the surgery. During the surgery, the local anesthesia helps patients to remain calm and relaxed throughout the surgery. It is only after the procedure when the anesthesia begins to wear off - that there may be signs of discomfort. The dentist will prescribe medication to ease this discomfort.
To prep you for the procedure, a dentist near you will first rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash that is specially made for this procedure. It helps prevent any infection from post dental implant procedure.
In the first phase of the procedure, the dentist will sedate the area of the missing tooth with local anesthesia. The dentist will then attach a metal post in the gums after creating a hole on the top of the gums. The dentist will make sure that the metal post is placed correctly and will suture the opening to allow the bones of the gums to heal and integrate with the titanium.
The second phase of the procedure takes place a few months later. You must follow up with your dentist to ensure that the process of Osseointegration has been successful. During this visit, the dentist will open the healed laceration to expose the titanium post. To this metal post, the dentist will attach a small extension right on top of it and make an impression of it. This impression is taken to create the dental crown for your tooth.
The third phase of the procedure involves the attachment of the crown to the dental implants in Lethbridge. With this, the process for dental implants is complete. With your new tooth, you can bounce back to your routine. No more worrying about eating hard foods!
For more information, visit a dentist near you today! A dentist in Lethbridge is happy to help.