The process of placing a dental implant takes time. You won’t be able to go through all of the steps during a single appointment. After an initial consultation with your dental implant dentist, here is an overview of the steps that you can expect to see during the process of getting a new dental implant.
Tooth Extraction
If the tooth you’re replacing with a dental implant is still in your mouth, you will need to have the tooth extracted first. Depending on the tooth’s location and the complexity of the extraction, you might be able to have the tooth extraction performed with a local anesthetic at your regular dentist’s office. In some cases, the dentist might be able to perform other steps of the process of getting dental implants during this appointment.
Bone Grafting
Some patients require a bone graft to have enough usable jawbone to place a dental implant. The healing time between bone grafting and placing a dental implant varies based on a variety of factors. However, you can expect the process to take months, not days. The larger the bone graft, the more time it will take to heal.
Dental Implant Placement
Once the bone graft heals, your dental implant dentist will place the actual dental implant. The process typically takes between one and two hours to complete. If you need more than one dental implant placed, this will happen at the same appointment. It will make the procedure take more time. Your dentist will give you instructions on what foods you should avoid eating and provide prescriptions for any pain relievers you may need.
Period of Healing
To be successful, dental implants need a chance to heal and become a permanent part of your jaw. This may take around 6 months or longer. Your dental implant dentist will check how well you’re healing. If you need more time before a crown can be placed, you’ll need to wait until your dentist gives you permission to go ahead. During this time, you will have a temporary dental crown in place so it won’t be obvious that you have a dental implant.
Abutment and Crown Placement
Once your dentist decides that it is time to move forward with completing the process, you will have an appointment scheduled for placing the abutment and crown on top of the dental implant. Your dentist will remove the temporary crown first and thoroughly clean the area surrounding the implant. Once the crown has been placed, you can successfully use your dental implant just like any other tooth without any additional restrictions. You may receive special care instructions to keep your dental implant functioning at its best.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have questions about the process of getting dental implants, contact Savannah Dental Solutions today at (912) 354-1366 to reach a reliable dental implant dentist in Savannah, GA. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will guide you through the entire process and answer all of your questions about dental implants.
