Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure

Losing teeth is never something you want to have to happen, but if it has happened to you, you might want to consider dental implants as an option to restore your missing teeth. Before you make a choice, you may want to understand what the dental implant procedure is like and how to prepare for it, including what to expect once the implant is installed.

Getting a dental implant is a big decision, so the more information you have before you make the choice, the better you will feel when the process is final.

Can anyone get implants?

Yes, just about anyone who has suffered tooth loss can get implants. Of course, there may be some that cannot undergo surgery or have allergies to the materials, but in general, most people are eligible. In the past, only certain people could get implants due to jawbone density requirements, but advancements in technology have made it so that this is no longer an issue.

There are now even multiple types of implants that meet different needs. So depending on your unique situation, you should be able to find something that works for you to restore your missing teeth.

How does getting implants work?

Before we talk about the actual process, we should note that getting dental implants is a process that takes time. Even under ideal circumstances, you are still looking at months of time per implant.

The process begins with an examination of the patient’s mouth. The dentist will make sure the patient is healthy and has no underlying oral health issues or teeth that need to be removed. If treatment is needed or teeth need to be removed, the patient must wait until they are fully healed to start the process. This can take up to three months.

Once the patient is ready, the process starts with a surgical installation of a post. This post is usually made of titanium and is anchored into the jawbone or the gum to hold the prosthetic tooth in place.

Once the post has healed properly, which can again take several weeks, the next piece, known as an abutment, is placed on top of the post. This piece is what the prosthetic tooth sits on. After the abutment is installed, the prosthetic tooth can be placed, and the procedure is complete. While the implant is healing, it is important to avoid eating hard foods and keep the area around the implant as clean as possible. This process is then repeated for each additional implant. For this reason, getting several implants done can take over a year to complete. Once installed, the implants gradually bond with the mouth and the jawbone and become like real teeth.