Dental implants are a very common procedure used to replace missing teeth. Thanks to it, you can regain the full look and feel of your teeth because the dental implant will perfectly blend into your natural teeth.
However, you may also be wondering about what you can expect from this process, especially if you’ve already read a few things about it and have already learned about the 6-month healing period. Here is a short timeline of the dental implant process so you can know exactly what to expect!
First, the dentist needs to make sure you are a good candidate for a dental implant by performing an oral exam. Usually, if you are in good health and don’t have major dental issues apart from the missing teeth, you will most likely be cleared for implant surgery.
Some patients can’t move from the first consultation to the implant surgery. Many procedures could be necessary to prepare the site, such as:
Once you’ve healed, the surgeon will schedule you to get the implant inserted. It is a metal screw that essentially gets placed where the natural tooth used to be, replacing its root. The dentist will make an incision in the gums and then place the implant into the jaw and gum.
This procedure only takes about an hour. What follows, however, will take much longer.
It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months to fully heal after dental implant surgery, but each patient is different. The healing will occur in stages, with the first stage happening in the first-week post-up.
The jaw bone and tissues need to heal and bond around the implant as well, which is a process called osseointegration. Without this process, you basically won’t have a stable foundation to attach the crown to.
The abutment is a connecting piece of the overall implant that allows the crown to be attached to the metal root. Once the abutment is placed, the dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to a lab where your custom crown will be made. This can take a few weeks, depending on the lab.
Once the crown is finished, the dentist will attach it and your dental implant process is complete. He will first insert it to see if it’s the right size or shape. If not, the crown is sent back to the lab for modifications. This can extend the timeline by a few more weeks, but it’s important to make sure the crown is a perfect match.
Wondering if dental implants are right for you? Oakbrook Dental is here to help!
Book an appointment with Dr. Patel or Dr. Pako Major today!
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