Receiving dental implants is a life-changing event. A dental implant will ultimately serve as a new tooth by replacing lost tooth structure and holding a custom restoration. Our oral surgeon has experience with embedding and overseeing the entire implantation process so that our patients can enjoy durable, long lasting prosthetics.
Dental Implant Procedure
The initial procedure, embedding a dental implant, is not overly invasive but it does require oral surgery. Some patients can receive an implant with just local anesthetics while others might need stronger medication to ensure comfort. In any implantation procedure, our team will follow all necessary protocols to promote a positive and comfortable experience during and after treatment. When it comes to permanent prosthetics, you will also have options for the materials used to construct them. For instance, if a dental crown will accompany your implant you can choose from natural materials like porcelain or more durable metals such as gold or silver alloys. You will have similar options if a bridge is used to complete your smile.
What If I Need a Bone Graft?
Sometimes, people may need bone grafts before receiving a dental implant. A bone graft might be necessary when a person has developed bone atrophy or if the upper jaw is thin or sparse because of the maxillary sinus cavity. Our team will be able to tell if a bone graft is necessary after a physical examination. Diagnostic images can reveal bone density and thickness. If a bone graft is recommended, it is because extra bone is necessary for stabilizing a dental implant.
Dental Implant Recovery Time & Stabilization
After an implant is embedded, patients will then enter a recovery phase of treatment. During recovery, the implant will be monitored frequently to determine if it is stable. Stabilization of a dental implant involves bone fusing to and around its titanium structure, a process known as osseointegration. Since bone generating new tissue and fusing to titanium takes time, the stabilization and recovery time after dental implant surgery takes at least six months. Our oral surgeon will monitor the stabilization process by scheduling appointments at various intervals until stabilization is complete. During the recovery phase of treatment and after the initial surgery, patients may wear temporary prosthetics but oral function is restricted so the implant’s stabilization is not compromised. Once the implant is stable, the permanent prosthetic is attached.
How Do People Care for Dental Implants?
Dental implants, when compared to formerly popular prosthetics like dentures, are very low maintenance. Since implants are permanently fixed in the jaw, implants and the dental crowns attached to them are brushed and flossed like normal teeth. Along with practicing proper oral hygiene, patients with implants will need to receive regular cleanings and checkups to prevent periodontal disease and detect potential problems as early as possible.
Our team at Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas is ready to help! Call us today to discuss your dental implant options.
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