How Are Dental Implants Done? Understanding the Procedure

Dental implants are metal or zirconia rods surgically placed into the jawbone under your gums. As they fuse to your jawbone, they provide a solid anchor for artificial teeth.

Getting dental implants is a multi-level process and can involve multiple dental visits. Understanding how are dental implants done can help you decide whether the treatment is right for you. 

How are Dental Implants Done: The Dental Implant Procedure

While the overall success rate of dental implants is around 95%, the dental implant procedure requires a significant commitment from the patient and the dental team to ensure the best possible outcome. Therefore, it is vital to clearly understand the dental implant process before making any decisions.

Initial Consultation

The dental implant procedure can seem daunting at first. During an initial consultation, your dentist collects important information about your medical history and current oral health. They’ll take X-rays or other imaging tests to understand your mouth topography better and evaluate your jawbone density. 

Bright Dental Group offers 3D scans using CBCT imaging technology. This cutting-edge technology allows us to take highly accurate scans of our patient’s teeth, providing detailed images that can be used for diagnosis and treatment planning.

With this information, your dentist can create a personalised treatment plan. During the consultation, you can ask the dentist how dental implants are done and better understand what to expect. 

Preparatory Surgeries

In some cases, preparatory surgeries may be needed before receiving dental implants. Depending on the type of surgery or treatment, you may need several months of recovery time before your dental implant surgery. 

Some preparatory surgeries you may need include:

• Tooth extractions may be necessary for teeth that are severely damaged beyond saving but have not yet fallen out. 
• Periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing or gum flap surgery, is recommended for patients with moderate to severe gum disease.
• You may need a bone graft if there is insufficient bone tissue density or thickness in the jaw to support the implant. 
• A sinus lift may be necessary if the sinus membranes are too close to the maxillary jawbone. This can prevent accidental sinus perforation and stabilises the jawbone to support the dental implants. 

Dental Implant Surgery

On the day of your dental implant surgery, your dentist will apply a numbing gel to the area around your missing tooth and inject a local anaesthetic. At Bright Dental Group, we also offer nitrous oxide (inhalation sedation) for anxious patients. This sedation method ensures you are conscious throughout the procedure but in a deeply relaxed state. 

When the area is numb, your dentist makes an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone. We use state-of-the-art CBCT scans to provide accurate 3D images of your mouth so we can place the implant with unparalleled precision, avoiding blood vessels and nerves. This ensures you spend less time in the dentist’s chair and reduces the risk of post-surgical complications. 

When the dentist has determined the ideal location for the implant, they drill a small hole slightly larger than the implant post and insert the implant. The gum is sutured, and a healing cap is placed over the wound for added protection. 

Recovery and Osseointegration

The implant must heal for several months before being capped with a dental crown. 

The recovery process following dental implant surgery is crucial to the success of the overall treatment. As you recover, the implant will begin to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. This process, known as osseointegration, is essential for providing a strong foundation for the dental restoration. 

Once osseointegration is complete, typically between six and nine months, the abutment can be placed. The abutment is a small connector piece that attaches the implant to the dental restoration. In some cases, the abutment can be immediately loaded during dental implant surgery.

Adding the Restoration

The last step in dental implant surgery is to add the restoration, which may be a single crown, a bridge, or a denture. The restoration is done by taking an impression of the implant site and then creating a model of the mouth. 

This model is used to create the custom-made restoration, which is then attached to the implant. 

Get a Free Consultation at Your Local Dental Clinic in Glenmore Park

Are you looking for a dentist that offers free consultation? Bright Dental Group in Glenmore Park is the perfect place for you. We believe everyone deserves access to quality dental care, and our free dental implant consultations can help you make informed decisions for your oral health.

We’ll take the time to answer all your questions and help you understand your treatment options. To book a free dental consultation near you, call us on (02) 4708 9691.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Osseointegration: An Update
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602536/

Dental crown procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-crown-procedure