What Is Dental Implants Surgery?

The surgical procedure to put dental implants in place can be one of the best experiences you have. When you wake up from it, there will be pain and discomfort but ultimately you will be correcting the problems related to your teeth in such a profound manner that you will ultimately be able to smile proudly. This procedure can be one of the best ways to fix broken or missing teeth with a permanent, natural looking solution. Why Have It? Dental implants surgery is necessary if you want to have artificial teeth implanted into the jaw that look and feel (not to mention work) just like natural teeth. The procedure is often thought of as a better option than dentures or bridging because it is less painful and less problematic over the long-term. What to Expect During this procedure, your dentist will tell you what to expect from the start. The type of surgery or steps taken will ultimately depend on your needs. In some cases, you may need just one tooth done whereas in other procedures it is a full mouth. In all situations, there are stages that involve several actual steps. The condition of your jawbone, the site location and the overall surgeon's preferences will play a role in this process. You can expect the entire process to take as long as three to nine months to complete. Sometimes, this can be longer. A good deal of time is used to wait for bone to grow into place and for healing to occur in between each step in the process. The first step involves implanting the cylinder into the jawbone and waiting for this to heal. Then, the abutment is put into place. Finally, after all of this groundwork is complete, the next step is the insertion of the artificial tooth. This tooth is called a crown or prosthesis. Some individuals will need more time due to the need of bone grafting. If the bone in the jaw is not thick enough, the surgeon will need to graft bone from another location to create a solid base for the implant to be secured into place. This also ensures you have enough power to chew food properly. The first step with dental implants is to have a consultation. After examining your teeth and your overall oral health, the dentist will tell you if you are a candidate for this procedure. He or she will then work with you on determining if a bone graft is necessary. You can begin to have surgeries right away to begin this process in most cases. By taking time, the dentist ensures that the overall finished product will last you a lifetime and look great for the rest of it, too.