The implant dentistry process generally involves the placement of the implant, osseointegration and healing, and a second procedure to place the dental crown. The following review goes into greater detail about each step for tooth replacement from an implant dentist.
A bone graft may be necessary before the placement of dental implants if the patient has experienced bone loss inside of the jaw due to bone atrophy or periodontal disease. While it is relatively common for this procedure to be required, not all patients require a bone graft for an implant-supported crown. If necessary, it can take up to three months to fully heal after the procedure.
The dental implant placement procedure is a minor surgical procedure that involves placing the implant (or multiple implants) into the jaw above or below where the replacement teeth will be positioned. This is a safe procedure with minimal risks, and the patient should not experience any discomfort during the procedure. However, it can take up to two weeks after the procedure for discomfort and swelling to reside.
Osseointegration must also take place after the placement of the dental implants. Osseointegration refers to the jawbone and the titanium implants fusing together naturally. This can take some time. On average, it takes four to six months for osseointegration to take place after the dental implants are placed.
The second placement procedure is scheduled after osseointegration is complete. At this point, the implants are securely fixed into the jaw. The procedure involves attaching the abutments and the dental prosthesis. The abutments serve as connectors for the implants and replacement teeth. The prosthesis used is either a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth are replaced and where they are located.
You can care for your new smile with dental implants by visiting the implant dentist every four to six months so that they can check on the health of the implants (as well as oral health in general) and perform routine dental cleaning. Between visits, patients are encouraged to brush regularly and floss and use mouthwash as recommended.
We encourage you to give our implant dentistry team a call or send us a message to start the treatment process to an improved smile and function with implant dentistry. We can help you better understand what the process and timeline may look like for you and address any questions you have during the first visit.
Request an appointment or call Aesthetic Dentistry of Noe Valley at 415-493-9143 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.
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