You may have heard about dental implants as a way to replace one or more of your missing teeth. Like most people, however, you’re not entirely familiar with the process. Does your dentist just stick some fake teeth in your mouth? How does it work? Fortunately, a dentist has written a guide for every step of the process for dental implants in Northeast Dallas.
Initial Consultation
First and foremost, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine whether dental implants are the right solution for your missing pearly whites. At this appointment, your dentist will take detailed x-rays and impressions of your mouth. They will discuss a recommended treatment plan with you and what you’ll need to do before your surgery.
Bone Grafting and Teeth Removal
If you’ve been dealing with tooth loss for some time, chances are your jawbone has deteriorated somewhat in that area. You might then need a bone graft, which is where a surgeon takes bone material from elsewhere on your body and implants it in your jawbone to allow it to grow in healthier. You might also have to have any severely decayed teeth removed to make room for the implant.
Implant Placement
Now, you’re ready to receive the implant, which is a screw-shaped titanium post meant to mimic the root of the tooth you’ve lost. The surgical procedure will take an hour or two, and you should be sedated for it.
After the implant has been successfully placed in your jawbone, you will be given a period of three to six months to heal. During this time, your jawbone will actually be growing around the implant post. Once your mouth is healed, you’re ready for the next step in the process.
Placing the Abutment
The abutment is a metal connector piece that screws into your dental implant. Once placed, your dentist will take an impression of it to design the part that will go on top, known as the crown.
Getting the Crown
The crown is the visible portion of the tooth that blends in with the rest of your smile. Using materials like porcelain or ceramic, your dentist will design a crown to be placed over your abutment, based on the impressions taken in the previous step. Once your permanent crown is placed, then voila! Your grin is good as new!
Now you have some idea of what to expect during the dental implant process. For more details, it’s best to contact your dentist in Northeast Dallas.
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett earned her doctorate at the University of Michigan and obtained her Advanced Education in General Dentistry through a one-year residency program at Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. She has been voted into D Magazine’s Best Dentists of Dallas 2019! To learn more about her dental implant process, you can contact Dr. Barnett by clicking here or calling (214) 373-9903.