Decay, cavities, injuries, failed root canal therapy – There are several reasons why you might be missing a few of your natural teeth. While dentures are always a choice, you can do better with dental implants. Not only do implant-supported restorations feel more comfortable, but patients also see excellent aesthetic outcomes. Your dentist in Chelsea NYC will evaluate and check whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, but for your help, here is an overview of the procedure & treatment.
Full dental exam
Your dentist will start with a full dental exam, where they will check the condition of your teeth and gums. They will also check your medical history and current medications you are taking and order additional imaging tests. X-rays and 3D images help dentists understand the condition of jawbone. Based on the findings, they will develop a treatment plan customized to your needs. Most people can consider dental implants, and age is rarely a factor.
Bone grafting before dental implants
If you have lost bone mass after losing your natural teeth, your dentist will check whether pretreatments are necessary. Bone grafting is a standard procedure used for addressing bone mass loss. The goal is to rebuild the jawbone, for which your dentist may use your own bone or a synthetic bone graft. It can take a few months for the transplanted bone to grow, and until then, you cannot have implant surgery.
Implant surgery
On the day of the surgery, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel anything during the process. You may also consider sedation if you have anxiety or want to relax more. In some cases, general anesthesia is recommended. As the first step, the oral surgeon will cut the gums to expose the jawbone. They will then drill holes in areas where the implant posts will be placed. Implant posts are placed deep inside the bone. The surgery can take an hour or more, depending on number of implants.
Osseointegration & abutment placement
Once the surgery is done, the oral surgeon will wait for the osseointegration process. It can take several months for the implants to fuse to the jawbone. After osseointegration is complete, your dentist will do a minor surgery to place abutments on the implants, which work as a connecting piece for placement of restorations. They will reopen the gums and attach the abutments to posts. It can take two to four weeks for the gums to heal again.
Getting implant-supported restorations
Your dentist will finally take impressions of your bite to order implant-supported restorations, which could be a crown, dental bridge, or denture. Your prosthetic teeth can be removable or fixed. Crowns are used to replace a single missing tooth, while bridges are best for replacing two or more lost teeth in a row. Dentures are similar to regular dentures, but the implant-supported ones will not move around.
Things to know about dental implants
You need to be patient about getting artificial teeth with dental implants. The healing period can be different for different people. While implants don’t need special care, you have to be particular about oral hygiene and must keep up with regular dental checkups. Keep in mind that implant-supported restorations are not permanent, but implants become a part of your mouth. Crowns, dentures, and dental bridges on implants may need to be replaced after a decade, depending on the material.
If you have any questions about the surgery or implant-supported restorations, discuss every aspect with your dentist in Chelsea in detail. Ensure you understand what to expect from the treatment along with risks and other aspects.