Tooth loss can impact your quality of life. You may notice a decline in your ability to perform oral functions. Your smile could be at risk of further deterioration if you do not seek tooth replacement treatment from your dentist.
Your dentist can offer highly beneficial and long-lasting restorative treatment after tooth loss through dental implants. This solution will not yield immediate results. But you can feel confident in these fixtures when you know more about the process. Read on to learn each step of replacing missing teeth with a dental implant.
What Happens When You Receive a Dental Implant?
Dental Health Evaluation
Before you pursue tooth replacement treatment through implant dentistry, you will need to schedule a consultation with your dentist. The dentist will examine your smile to determine if a dental implant will be the optimal way to replace your missing teeth. Any lingering dental problems, like gum disease or tooth decay, will need treatment before you can start the implant dentistry process.
The dentist will evaluate your gums, remaining teeth, and jawbone to ensure your smile is strong and healthy enough to support this restorative dental treatment. They will also discuss the parameters of the procedure. This way, you can remain informed about what to expect from the process. If you do not want a permanent fixture to replace your missing teeth, you may need to choose an alternative restorative dental solution.
Implant Anchor Surgery
The first procedure you can expect when you get a dental implant is oral surgery to place the titanium post anchors of your fixtures. A dentist inserts these posts into the jaw.
The number of anchors you will receive depends on the type of implant that you need for your unique treatment. A single dental implant uses one anchor, a bridge needs two – one for each end of the device, and an All-on-Four relies on four anchors to support a denture.
Your dentist should be able to place all required anchors within one surgery. You will need several months to recover from this procedure before continuing the implant dentistry process. The anchors will fuse to the jaw during this period while the surgical sites heal.
Prosthetic Teeth Placement
After you have healed from the anchor placement procedure, you will return to your dentist’s office for the final step of the implant dentistry treatment. Your dentist can give you your fixed prosthetic teeth.
They will secure a crown, bridge, or denture to an abutment attached to the top of the anchor. These fixtures will remain in place from that point forward. They are made to suit each unique patient, ensuring a natural-looking and beautiful finish.
Many patients like that they do not have to worry about the devices wearing down or slipping out of place. They can enjoy the restoration of their smile’s appearance and function for twenty or more years.