When a single tooth or teeth need to be replaced, a popular technique used is dental implantation. The implants themselves are made up of titanium. They are surgically placed in their position by wither dental specialists, oral surgeons or dentists. They are basic like screws and are strategically placed in the jaw bone. Their function is to basically mimic the function of a tooth’s root. Dental implants are surgically placed inside your mouth. If you have decided to get dental implants, you should know all the steps involved.
Time required
The biggest factors which govern the time taken to get dental implants – your general dental health, the types of teeth being replaced, if you need to extract a tooth or teeth before the implantation procedure and the total number of teeth which need to be replaced. Not only do the factors determine the time required for the procedure itself, they determine the number of visits you will need to make to the dentist in the treatment period. If only one tooth has been implanted, the whole thing will take around two hours, including anaesthesia, sterilising the environment and the surgery itself.
Steps involved
The first phase of the process involves the mouth, which will first be completely numbed with anaesthesia. In your gums, an incision is cut at the exact location where the implant will go in, so that the bone underneath is exposed. A specialised drill is used to create space in the bone to insert the implant. The implant is then screwed in using the drill or a hand tool. After the implant is in its place and sits perfectly well, another part is drilled into the implant. It will stay in its place for the duration of the healing period. The gums are then closed over all of the inserted parts and stitched in place. After three months, the implant will securely attach itself to the jaw bone.
There is a second phase to the process too. A small incision is made in the gums. The implants are now re-exposed. An extension is placed on top of the implant and an impression of the implant is taken. The impression is used by the lab to fit the new crown in. The crown is made over multiple appointments by your dentist. Although the steps vary from person to person, the definitive test involves impression of the teeth to make models of the mouth on which the crown is fabricated. The models are very carefully mounted and are made sure they align properly. The dentist will check if the crown fits and is in correct shape; then the crown is placed on your implant.
Care
The new implants need proper care and regular check-ups. Do not forget to brush and floss the implants as recommended by the dental hygienist or the dentist who put them in. Make sure you see your dentist at least once every six months. Any potential complications need to be covered – having any insurance coverage, like the European health card, will give you that sense of security before you go into a procedure like this.