Dental implants have been among the most successful oral methods since time immemorial. Although the technology and methods behind tooth transplants have largely evolved over the years, the overall concept has stayed the same since they were first used in Ancient Maya, Egypt, and China.
Today, dental implants have become the go-to option for patients of every age for their affordability, feasibility, and seemingly natural fit. Also known as the new standard for tooth transplantation, dental implant treatment comprises many factors that confuse people.
In this blog, we aim to simplify the process of dental implants in Texas by looking at the different aspects of the treatment process. Continue reading as we understand more about the process in the following sections.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implant surgery is a standard tooth replacement option opted for by people with damaged or missing teeth. These implants are an excellent option for people with a missing tooth, a few missing teeth, or even a molar. They are designed to feel, look, and function like natural teeth.
Most people cannot distinguish between natural and permanent teeth implants. It combines three elements – a customized crown, a titanium implant post, and a connecting abutment – to create a new tooth and give you an effortless smile with these appliances.
Today, dental implants procedure offers effective alternatives for people who have the following oral conditions:
- Missing teeth
- Congenitally missing teeth
- Traumatic injury to natural teeth
- Deteriorating teeth
- Prevailing dental issues
So now that we have an idea of what dental implants are, let’s look at how these appliances work and understand the steps in detail in the following sections.
Understanding How Implants Work
At Navarro dentistry, professionals consider two types of implants to be safe, namely: subperiosteal and endosteal implants.
Subperiosteal Implants: Dentists primarily use bone implants, also known as dental molar implants, for complex oral health cases. They place these implants over the jawbone and under the gums to support a full arch tooth replacement.
Endosteal Implants: Unlike subperiosteal implants, endosteal implants are placed ‘in the bone. These are root or cylindrical-shaped implants placed directly into the jawbone for dental restorations. They’re a common option for replacing a single tooth, complex bridges, and full arch tooth replacement.
So now that we have an idea of the two commonly used dental implants for molar teeth let’s have a look at the steps involved in the procedure:
Steps Involved In The Procedure
Stage I – Dental Exam:
To start your dental implant procedure, your dentist must do a comprehensive examination before the implant procedure starts. In this stage, they utilize 3D imaging and CT scan to get an insight into your oral condition. Once done, the dentist can more accurately understand the implant procedure required to give you a flawless smile.
Stage II: Removal Of Teeth Or Tooth:
The replacement tooth or teeth are then extracted in the following step. Although certain dentists who specialize in implantology can complete the full procedure, oral surgeons are often the ones who perform this.
Stage III: Bone Grafting:
If the first examination reveals that you don’t have enough bone to support the implant, your dentist will need to conduct a bone graft. They can take bone from another part of your body and place it where needed. Alternatively, there are choices for synthetic and natural donor bones.
Stage IV: Insertion Of Implants:
The dentist affixes the crown in the last phase. They design your crown to match the style, size, and color of your other teeth. The dentist accomplishes this by creating molds or digital imprints of your natural teeth and jaw after positioning the abutment.Your dentist will restore your oral health through bone grafting and then insert the implant into your jawbone by drilling a hole.
If the bone graft is small, your dentist may perform both procedures together with dental implant recovery time afterwards. Your dentist will fix the implant deeply into the bone, mimicking a real tooth since it is an artificial tooth root. After extracting your original tooth, you will wear a temporary, removable denture to fill the gap. While you recover from the implantation, the bone will form around the new implant (known as osseointegration).
Stage V: Adding Abutment:
Following the recovery from stage four, the bone generally takes a month or two to stabilize. This later becomes the base where the implant will be placed using the abutment.
Stage VI: Placing Crown:
The dentist affixes the crown in the last phase after creating molds or digital imprints of your natural teeth and jaw to match the style, size, and color of your other teeth. Once done, they place the crowns to restore your smile.
Implants Are Easy To Care For!
Dental implants are your best option to replace missing or lost teeth! Dental implants require proper care, though they aren’t susceptible to decay or cavities like natural teeth.
Wonder why? Dental implants cannot develop cavities because they comprise materials that are not impacted like natural teeth. Normal brushing and flossing are all necessary to take care of a dental implant once the healing process at the implant site is complete.
So now that you know what dental implants are and their role in restoring your smile, when are you opting for them?
What Are You Waiting For?
At Navarro Dental Center, we bring you the ultimate dental implant experience. Our cutting-edge dental technology and experts with years of expertise renew your smile like never before. Book an appointment with us or call us at 903-872-1661 to learn more.
