Dental Implants: An Overview

A procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth is known as a Dental Implants Procedure.

Dental Implants look and function like natural teeth, offering a welcome alternative to dentures or bridgework that can be cumbersome and may not fit well.

Offering an option for those patients for whom a lack of natural teeth roots doesn’t allow building denture or bridgework tooth replacements, Dental Implants are being opted for as an ideal tooth replacement by more and more people these days.

Inserting an implant into the jawbone with a screw-like device, Dr. Ravneet Dhillon the Dental Surgeon at Morgan Hill Dentistry provides a  strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. 

There are many other advantages to dental implants, including:

• Normal Eating
• Improved appearance
• Improved speech
• Increased comfort 
• Enhanced self-esteem. 
• Improved oral health. 
• Durability and Convenience. 

Teeth replaced by dental implants consist of three pieces to serve different functions:

1. The Implant
2. The Abutment
3. The Dental Crown 

The three different forms of Dental implants that are available to be used for permanent tooth restoration are

• Endosteal Implant
• Subperiosteal Implant
• Zygomatic Implants

The different techniques of dental implants available for various needs are:

• Single Tooth Implant
• Implant-Supported Bridge
• All-on-4 Dental Implants
• 3-on-6 Dental Implants
• All-on-10 Dental Implants
• Mini Dental Implants
• Immediate Load  Implants

Also Read: Dental Implants Surgery: Benefits and Types

What is the Procedure of Dental Implant Surgery?

An outpatient surgery, Dental Implant surgery is performed in the Dentist’s office. Made of titanium and other materials that fuse with the jawbone and imitate the root of a tooth, the artificial root allows the dentist to secure the replacement teeth that feel stable and blend in with the surrounding teeth.

The procedure of dental implant surgery may vary from one person to another and depending on various factors like:

1. Number of teeth that need to be replaced
2. Location
3. Quality & quantity of natural bone.
4. Oral and physical health of the patient

Some additional or alternative procedures or treatments might sometimes be recommended by our team of experts at Morgan Hill Dentistry depending on the health of your jawbone and your specific needs. 

They may include:

Sinus Augmentation or Sinus Lift

The location of the sinuses may sometimes pose a challenge to implant surgery in the upper jawbone.

A sinus augmentation is a procedure to lift the floor of the sinuses by adding more bone, at the place where the natural bone has deteriorated due to missing upper back teeth.

Ridge Expansion

Jawbone abnormality in some people might not allow the development of enough bone to support an implant. In such cases, the surgeon performs a ridge modification by lifting the gum. 

Exposing the area of the deformed bone, the surgeon uses a bone or bone alternative to repair & build up the area.

This procedure helps to improve the quality of the jawbone and prepare it for dental implant surgery.

Bone Augmentation

Restoring or regenerating bone in the jaw when it is not able to support implants otherwise is known as Bone Augmentation. Bone additives and growth factors to fortify the bone usually help to achieve the best results.

The Dental Implant Procedure may require several appointments, including a consultation, an appointment to place the implant, and another to attach the new teeth.

1. Consultation

Usually lasting for half an hour to forty minutes, the consultation provides the dentist with a chance to explain the options to the patients and answer all their queries. 

After assessing the overall health of the patients, the dentist may discuss their particular dental needs. A 3D CT scan is performed to ascertain whether the person is an ideal candidate for the procedure and to formulate a treatment plan.

2. Impressions

Some impressions of the jaw and teeth are taken after both the patient and the dentist decide about going ahead with the treatment plan after the initial consultation.

3. Extractions

The tooth extraction may not be necessary in all cases. The dentist discusses with the patient if there is a need to extract any teeth before the procedure.

In case the patient suffers from any infection or bone loss, the bone grafting is performed before the implant procedure

4. Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may also be required if a tooth or teeth have been missing for a while as it helps to ensure that a reasonable bone foundation is there for the dental implant to adhere to. 

5. Implant Surgery

The dentist schedules the dental implant procedure after all the preparations have been done. The implants are inserted into the bone during the surgery. 

Recovery

The time of recovery of a tooth implant is different for everyone. Most people can resume their normal schedule and work the next day.

However, some diet modifications are essential for a few days or weeks after the treatment.

The patients might experience some bruising, swelling, minor bleeding, and pain after the implants are placed and the patients are advised to stick to soft food and liquids for a while.

Some over-the-counter medications, including Advil (ibuprofen), may be suggested for the pain and discomfort if any.

The dentist has to put sutures in the cases where the gum needs to be cut to reveal the jaw bone so that the Implants can be inserted.

These sutures are removed in 10–14 days in most cases, and they nor add any extra pain and neither prolong the recovery time.

After the tooth achieves a satisfactory level of osseointegration, the abutment is attached to the tooth implant.

This abutment is then used to attach the tooth implant to the permanent crown, marking the completion of the tooth implant process.

It may take anywhere between four to six months for the tooth implant to fuse to the jaw bone.

However, this time may extend past six months (though rarely), if there is damage to the tooth that has extended into the jawbone. 

The tooth implant procedure is an extremely viable and successful option for the restoration of a missing tooth or teeth and the prevention of jaw bone loss.

It adds value to life by giving you a smile that lasts and the convenience of eating all your favorite foods. 

At Morgan Hill Dentistry, our Implant Specialists are constantly working towards adding smiles to lives most competently and seamlessly.

We specialize in Sedation Dentistry which combined with years of expertise is sure to add to not only the aesthetics of your face but also give you a reason to smile wide!

If you are suffering from Tooth loss contact Morgan Hill Dentistry.