Dental Implant Teeth Process: a guide

What are dental implants:

After removing a tooth, many patients seek ways of restoring their smile. For many years a common approach has been getting bridges or crowns. However, dental implants have become an increasingly popular option among our patients. They are stable, aesthetically pleasing, functional, and serve to strengthen the jawbone. They’re appropriate whether you’re missing one tooth, several, or an entire arch of teeth. They can even fully restore a smile when both arches are absent.

Dental implants are typically made of titanium and are similar in shape and size to a natural tooth root. The majority of dental implants are made of titanium, this material is more durable and fuses better to bone over time.

Evaluation of the patient:

Making the decision to have dental implants placed can be life-changing. At Digital Dental Studio, our patients start with a consultation to talk with Dr. Vishart and Dr. Cifuni. We take into account your health, bone quality and bone levels, both important factors that will determine whether you are a good candidate for a dental implant.

Most patients often choose to preview how transformative dental implants can be with our state of the art digital technology.  Imagine building your procedure step by step with a 3D scan of your mouth and jaw. This roadmap will allow us to make all the right decisions, to ensure you have the best outcome. Our goal is to make sure you feel comfortable with the whole process.

Tooth extraction:

No dentist ever wants to extract a tooth. At Digital Dental Studio we do all we can to save your natural teeth whenever possible. However, sometimes it’s necessary to perform extractions for dental health reasons.

Tooth extractions may be necessary for a number of reasons, like tooth decay and root canal treatments not being successful, impaction or overcrowding teeth,  periodontal and gum disease that can spread  putting your oral health at risk.

You may also require the removal of problematic teeth in the back of the mouth, to create space for the rest of the teeth to spread out as needed, preserving your straight smile without the need for braces. Devices such as braces, for example, can shift teeth but removal is often the only course of action to solve overcrowding.

There are two types of extractions:

• Simple extractions normally done under 40 minutes and require only local anesthesia.  We use dental instruments such as an elevator and forceps to loosen and remove the tooth.
• Surgical extractions done under general anesthesia. In some cases, it’s necessary to remove some of the bone around the tooth or to cut the tooth in half in order to extract it.

Placing the dental implants and bone grafting 

Our bones are strengthened through impact and physical stimulus, so when your teeth go missing, the supporting jawbone starts to lose its density, this is what we call resorption.

Dental implants are a great way to stimulate bone and stop the resorption.  We use these two types of dental implants:

Endosteal: a dental implant that is installed directly into your jawbone to act as an artificial root. These implants are shaped like small screws and are typically made of titanium. They are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone during the first phase of the procedure.

During the treatment, your dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the area before placing the implant. The implant is then left alone for three to six months to allow osseointegration and the titanium to fuse to your bone.

If you have insufficient bone due to resorption, a bone grafting procedure is your best choice. This is a common and safe procedure that will allow you to have enough bone in the targeted location to support a dental implant.

Subperiosteal: are an alternative if your jaw is not healthy enough or if you have lost too much bone after losing your teeth, then you may be a suitable candidate for a subperiosteal implant.

This implant is placed below the gum tissues and above the jawbone and is held in place with bone screws at strategic points for best support. The metal posts attached to the frame protrude through the gums, which is where the prosthetic tooth or teeth are mounted.

While the gum heals, provisional fixed teeth can be mounted immediately on this type of implant. The permanent bridge is only fitted once complete gum healing has taken place.

When looking to get dental implants installed, it is crucial to clarify the differences between the two so you have all the information you need about the implants. Our team offers assistance and guidance throughout the entire dental implant process. There is no reason to live with the insecurity of a missing teeth, we are here to help you regain your smile.

Installing The Abutment

Placing the abutment occurs after your jaw has healed from the bone grafting. The abutment is the screw that is inserted into your new tooth implant and helps secure it to your jawbone. This part of the procedure is relatively quick, and involves exposing your new implant through opening the surrounding gum area and attaching the abutment. Your gum tissue is then closed back around the abutment.

A healing abutment will be placed on top of your implant. Its job is to shape and tighten the gum tissue and to prevent food from settling around the implant. After the first month of surgery, your gum tissues will continue to heal around the abutment, the bone will also begin to grow and become stronger. It’s very important to be very careful with your implant for the first 4 months.

Our goal is to make sure your surgery is comfortable and stress-free. We will provide all the information you will need to ensure your safety and smooth recovery.

Correcting the Crowns

Depending on the type of implant placed in the patient’s jaw, they might also have to select an abutment that is used to attach the crown to the implant. Abutments are typically made out of materials like zirconia, titanium, or metal alloys.

Titanium abutments are typically preferred given how durable the metal is. It’s suitable for most prosthetic restorations and strong enough to use for molars, while zirconia is a good choice if the gum line is thin and a titanium or stainless steel abutment would show.

Dentists and their patients also have to determine if they want to go with a screw-retained or cemented crown. Screw-retained crowns are easier to remove, making it easier to make repairs and perform maintenance on them.

Implants that have become loose will require refitting, you will not be able to properly refit your implant yourself and any attempt may make the problem worse. If you suspect your crown has been damaged, you should contact Dr. Vishart, with her CEREC technology she will be able to design an create a new crown in just a couple or hours.

Recovery and healing

You will receive a full list of post-operative instructions from your care provider. These may differ depending on the kinds of procedures you had. In general, you can expect to stick to soft foods for several days after the procedure. We recommend to follow these guidelines on what you should eat or avoid after dental implants: https://www.digital-dentalstudio.com/2022/04/26/a-complete-guide-for-eating-after-dental-implants-what-can-you-eat-and-what-should-you-avoid/

You also need to brush your teeth carefully to compensate for any bruising and swelling in your gums and mouth. You can also manage the swelling and discomfort simply through using ice packs and warm, wet washcloths at different intervals throughout the day.

Your incision wounds should heal quickly, but you do need to use a warm saltwater solution to keep it clean. You should also limit beverages that aren’t water.

The dental implant healing process takes time, try not to pull your cheeks or lips to examine your mouth, you might inadvertently re-open some sutures.

Afterwards

There is no special way to clean your dental implants, just make sure you care for them as well as you would care for your natural teeth.

Flossing after every meal is highly recommend, just as it is with your normal teeth. Continue brushing dental implants as normal, at least twice a day. Using an electric toothbrush is recommended due to the softer approach it gives to brushing.

With an effective dental implant aftercare routine at home, alongside 1 or 2 appointments a year with our dental team, we can guarantee long-term success of your implants, keeping them strong, durable and creating a long-lasting beautiful smile.

Benefits and risks of dental implants 200

There’s no denying that dental implants offer the best solution for teeth which are beyond repair, or for tooth loss. So what makes them such a good choice?Replace loose fitting dentures

• Maintain bone structure after tooth loss
• Improve the appearance of your smile
• Boost your confidence
• Function and feel just like natural teeth
• Improve chewing and speaking
• Prevent bone loss
• Long term solution
• High success rate

A patient’s good health is the strongest predictor of a successful implant procedure. The following conditions may make it harder:

• Autoimmune diseases, allergies and diabetes.
• Medications. Patients should be sure to discuss their meds with the dentist, as some may also interfere with the fusing of the implant to the jawbone.
• Gum disease. Healthy gums are a prerequisite.
• Osteoporosis or osteopenia.
• Tobacco use. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums, which slows the healing process and contributes to inflammation of the gum tissue around an implant.

What does dental implants cost?

The cost of a single implant can be anywhere from $3,000-$4,500 and getting multiple implants will increase the price of the procedure. This procedure involves:

• Tooth extraction: If you have diseased, damaged teeth that need to be removed, you will need to have an extraction before your implants can be placed.
• Bone grafting: Depending on the state of your jawbone, you may need a bone graft to complete your implants.
• 3D scans: Important diagnostic tests that allow us to ensure that your implant is correctly placed.

It’s important to understand that with proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. By investing time and money in them today, you’re saving yourself significant worries and efforts in the future.

What can Dr. Anna Vishart do for you?

To put you at ease, Dr. Vishart and her amazing team will detail your dental implant treatment from beginning to end. With only the best state of the art technology Dr. Vishart will provide the best recommendation to replace your missing teeth and improve a healthy beautiful smile.

If you think this is something you need and you are looking for, then what are you waiting for? Call us now for a consultation: 1-781-471-7934.