Thousands of people have had dental implants, whether it's to replace one missing tooth or an entire mouth of teeth.
This is a common procedure which is carried out by an oral surgeon who has experience in this field of dentistry.
Patients who have missing front and back teeth may choose this option, ensuring they always have a full set of teeth.
The advantage is that the teeth are made according to your other teeth color, which means that only you know the tooth in your mouth is false.
Dental implants have become a popular choice, rather than opting for dentures should you have a number of teeth that need removing in your mouth.
The procedure starts with you attending an evaluation with an oral surgeon in your area.
The oral surgeon will evaluate your mouth, ensuring your bone is strong enough and there is enough bone to carry out the procedure.
Bone density is exceptionally important to ensure the new tooth holds in place for a long term, rather than leaving you with discomfort and a tooth that may fall out sooner rather than later.
Once you have discussed the options with your oral surgeon the dental implants procedure begins, usually with the removal of any existing teeth which are to be replaced.
When the teeth have been removed, you will have some time to heal and a bone graft will be carried out if needed.
Bone grafts are a common practice if the bone has degenerated and isn't deep, wide or strong enough to hold the new tooth in place.
In this procedure a piece of bone is taken from elsewhere in the mouth or a synthetic bone is used.
This is placed over the tooth socket and allowed to fuse and heal.
Once tooth removal and grafting is completed the dental implants procedure can continue.
It is at this point that the placement of the titanium rod takes place.
The rod is attached to the jawbone to hold the tooth in place.
The titanium rod acts as a root, which over time fuses with the jawbone, creating a strong root which leaves the tooth acting as a normal tooth.
It is usually at this point a temporary crown is placed over the rod.
A crown looks the same as a tooth, this temporary crown is used while the new and permanent crowns are made.
A mold is taken of your mouth along with a color match to your other teeth, this is to ensure that your new tooth doesn't look out of place and cannot be told apart from your original teeth.
The permanent crowns do take a while to make, they are made in a laboratory off site and time frames will depend on your oral surgery and the laboratory they use to make these items.
Time frames also depend on how your healing process is going and whether the rod has fused with the bone enough to complete the dental implant procedure.
Once these have been received, you will go in for your final consultation.
This part of the dental implants procedure takes an hour or more, depending on how many crowns are being placed.
The temporary crowns are removed, the titanium rods are inspected to ensure the rod has fused correctly.
When this has been determined and your oral surgeon is happy with the progress, the permanent crowns are put in place.
This type of surgery is always carried out under a local anesthetic to ensure that there is no pain, the area is completely numb and the only feeling you have is a pushing sensation as they push the rods into the bone.
Afterwards there may be some slight discomfort which is easily remedied with over the counter pain medication.
This is a common procedure which is carried out by an oral surgeon who has experience in this field of dentistry.
Patients who have missing front and back teeth may choose this option, ensuring they always have a full set of teeth.
The advantage is that the teeth are made according to your other teeth color, which means that only you know the tooth in your mouth is false.
Dental implants have become a popular choice, rather than opting for dentures should you have a number of teeth that need removing in your mouth.
The procedure starts with you attending an evaluation with an oral surgeon in your area.
The oral surgeon will evaluate your mouth, ensuring your bone is strong enough and there is enough bone to carry out the procedure.
Bone density is exceptionally important to ensure the new tooth holds in place for a long term, rather than leaving you with discomfort and a tooth that may fall out sooner rather than later.
Once you have discussed the options with your oral surgeon the dental implants procedure begins, usually with the removal of any existing teeth which are to be replaced.
When the teeth have been removed, you will have some time to heal and a bone graft will be carried out if needed.
Bone grafts are a common practice if the bone has degenerated and isn't deep, wide or strong enough to hold the new tooth in place.
In this procedure a piece of bone is taken from elsewhere in the mouth or a synthetic bone is used.
This is placed over the tooth socket and allowed to fuse and heal.
Once tooth removal and grafting is completed the dental implants procedure can continue.
It is at this point that the placement of the titanium rod takes place.
The rod is attached to the jawbone to hold the tooth in place.
The titanium rod acts as a root, which over time fuses with the jawbone, creating a strong root which leaves the tooth acting as a normal tooth.
It is usually at this point a temporary crown is placed over the rod.
A crown looks the same as a tooth, this temporary crown is used while the new and permanent crowns are made.
A mold is taken of your mouth along with a color match to your other teeth, this is to ensure that your new tooth doesn't look out of place and cannot be told apart from your original teeth.
The permanent crowns do take a while to make, they are made in a laboratory off site and time frames will depend on your oral surgery and the laboratory they use to make these items.
Time frames also depend on how your healing process is going and whether the rod has fused with the bone enough to complete the dental implant procedure.
Once these have been received, you will go in for your final consultation.
This part of the dental implants procedure takes an hour or more, depending on how many crowns are being placed.
The temporary crowns are removed, the titanium rods are inspected to ensure the rod has fused correctly.
When this has been determined and your oral surgeon is happy with the progress, the permanent crowns are put in place.
This type of surgery is always carried out under a local anesthetic to ensure that there is no pain, the area is completely numb and the only feeling you have is a pushing sensation as they push the rods into the bone.
Afterwards there may be some slight discomfort which is easily remedied with over the counter pain medication.
Source...