Posted September 13, 2024 in Dental Implants
Your smile (or lack of it) is one of the first things people notice about you. A genuine smile can immediately put someone at ease and make you seem approachable and easy to talk to. However, if you are missing one or more teeth, you may be reluctant to smile, which can affect how people interact with you. You may unintentionally come across as angry or uninterested, and this perception can change what happens in both social and professional situations. Dental implants have several benefits, but one of the primary ones is that they make your smile whole again, giving you the confidence to interact and speak with ease and confidence. In this blog, we take you step by step through the dental implant process so you know what to expect as you restore your smile.
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What Makes Up a Dental Implant?
Dental implants consist of three pieces combined to create an artificial tooth that looks natural and functions as a normal tooth would. The three parts of a dental implant are:
- Implant Post: This post, usually made of titanium, is implanted into your jaw to act as an artificial tooth root and permanently anchor the implant in your mouth.
- Abutment: This small but important metal connector plays a significant role in the dental implant process. The abutment joins the implant post with the dental crown, ensuring a seamless connection.
- Dental Crown: The dental crown is the prosthetic tooth placed on the abutment and implant post, completing the process by providing a functional and natural-looking tooth.
Now that you know the basics of a dental implant, below, we’ll take you through the implant process.
Step One: Dental Implant Evaluation
The first step when getting a dental implant is seeing a trusted dentist to perform a comprehensive exam and determine what you need to have done. Getting a dental implant requires ensuring the teeth and gums surrounding the missing tooth (or teeth) are healthy enough to support the implant. During this evaluation, your dentist will let you know what to expect from the process and how long it will take.
Step Two: Preparing Your Mouth for Dental Implants
Once you know you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you may be ready to get started. However, you may need to have a tooth removed or bone grafting to create the optimal basis for your implant.
Tooth Removal
In some instances, you may not be missing a tooth, but your tooth is broken, chipped beyond repair, or deeply decayed. In this case, you will most likely need to undergo tooth extraction before beginning the implant process.
Bone Grafting
Did you know that if you’ve been missing a tooth for a year, you’ve likely lost 25 percent of the bone density in your jaw? Your jawbone is stimulated by the roots of your teeth and the pressure put on your jaw when you chew. Without that stimulation, your bone begins a process called resorption. If you’ve experienced bone loss in the area where you’re getting an implant, you will need to undergo bone grafting to “shore up” your jaw and ensure the implant can anchor to a solid bone.
Step Three: Placing the Implant Post
When you’re ready for the implant post to be placed, your dentist will make an incision in your gum to reach the jawbone. A small hole is drilled and strategically placed to ensure it is lined up with your other teeth and does not interfere with nerves. The implant post is inserted, and your gum is stitched back up.
Now that the post is placed in your jaw, you must wait for it to fuse to the bone. This process is called osseointegration. The bone grows around the post, creating a permanent and secure base for your artificial tooth. The osseointegration process can take anywhere from three to six months, depending on how quickly you heal.
Step Four: Placing the Abutment
Once the implant has fully healed, the abutment will be placed. Your dentist will reopen your gum where it has healed over the implant and screw on the small metal connector. Once the abutment is attached, you must wait another few weeks for your gums to heal.
When you receive your abutment, your dentist will take a dental impression so that your permanent crown can be fabricated while your gums are healing.
Step Five: Placing the Crown
You’ve made it to the final step! Once your gums have healed after the abutment placement, it’s time to place the crown. Your dentist will attach the permanent custom crown to the abutment, ensuring that your bite is aligned and everything feels natural.
Caring For Your Dental Implants
While dental implants are a durable and permanent solution to missing teeth, it’s important to remember that good oral hygiene is important. Regular dental visits, keeping your other teeth clean and free of decay, and keeping your gums healthy will help ensure that your teeth—whether dental implants or natural teeth—last a lifetime.
Learn More About Dental Implants in Las Cruces, NM
When it comes to quality dental implants, the most important thing to remember is to be patient. While it takes several months to complete the dental implant process, the end result is worth it. Function and appearance are restored, and you’ve prevented bone loss in your jaw that could cause more dental issues down the road.
To schedule an appointment to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, call Gentle Care Dentistry in Las Cruces, NM, today at 575-524-3722 or complete our online contact form.
We look forward to helping you restore your smile.