Dental implant surgery is a replacement of tooth roots with metal and also replaces the damaged teeth with artificial teeth that look like real ones. The dental implant surgery involves various procedures and the process depends on the type of implant and your jawbone condition.
The primary benefit of implant surgery is to offer solid support for your new teeth.
The dental plant surgery can offer an alternative option when you have a lack of natural teeth roots that are not allowed for building denture or bridgework tooth replacements.
Process of Surgery
The dental implant surgery involves a variety of specialists who specialize in the condition of the mouth, face, and jaw. A dentist who specializes in treating structures supports your teeth such as, bones and gums, while a dentist who specializes in designs and replaces artificial teeth or occasionally ENT specialists.
This is why there are one or more surgical procedures are involved in dental implant procedure. So, you have to determine thoroughly to prepare for the process including:
- Comprehensive Dental Exam:
Before starting the process, you have to take dental X-rays and 3D images and have models made of your jaw and teeth.
- Evaluate the medical history Review:
Tell everything to the doctor about your medical condition and the medications you take that includes prescription, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
Do you have any orthopedic implants? While before surgery doctor will prescribe you with some antibiotics that will help to prevent infection.
- Treatment Plan
The treatment plan has certain factors including how many teeth need to be replaced, your jawbone condition, and remaining teeth as well.
During the surgery, you may take local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia to control the pain.
You have to consult with your doctor which option is best for you. Before the surgery, you will get instructions from the dental care team about eating and drinking which depends on the type of anesthesia. If you have sedation or general anesthesia, you have someone to take you home after the treatment.
Dental implant surgery is done in various stages including
- Remove the damaged tooth.
- Then, the jawbone is prepared for surgery and it may include measures of bone grafting.
- Once it heals the jawbone, the implant is fit into the gum line.
- After that, the jaw takes time to heal again and the surgeon fits the abutment and attaches the artificial tooth on the top and then completing the full implant. Abutment means the piece that screw into the implant.
After the surgery, discomfort is a natural and usual thing to feel. What you can expect after the dental implant procedure includes:
- Swelling of the face and gums
- Pain at the surgery place
- Minor bleeding
After surgery, if you face these signs, you have to consult your surgeons because it may cause larger issues.
Do you think maybe you’re a candidate for a dental implant? Consult with your dentist or oral surgeon about dental implant procedure.