The gold standard of today's dental health care practice revolves around dental implants.Dental implant specialists are dentists with advanced training in minor surgical procedures including tooth replacement techniques.
Dental implants usually require surgery in order to properly substitute tooth roots with metal posts or artificial teeth that can typically work much like a normal one would. If you’re having problems with partial dentures or bridgework, dental implant surgery can be the alternative you are looking for.
If you are having doubts about whether to have your damaged tooth replaced or not, here are a few things you can expect from your dental implants specialist
- The dentist offers you a plan – Because dental surgery may sometimes require multiple procedures, your doctor will have to take your X-rays taken first. A digital impression of your teeth will make artificial tooth modeling easier for the dentist. Once you’ve completed a comprehensive dental exam, the dentist will create a treatment plan specially tailored to suit your needs particularly giving attention to the condition of your gums and jawbone.
- Your jawbone is prepared for surgery – Yes, we know it may sound scary at first, but jawbone preparation is necessary for oral surgeons to place dental implants and metal posts into your jaw structure as its main source of support for stability. Jawbone preparation may sometimes require bone grafting especially when your jawbone does not have the required thickness to support dental implants. Grafting involves the installation of solid bases that will hold the implant intact.
- Dental implants are placed - Once your jawbone is prepared and usually after a certain period of time for it to heal, the dentists proceed with the installation of dental implants. The procedure may involve making an incision to your gums to allow a certain amount of bone exposure. A hole will be drilled into the bone where the dental implant will be secured. At this point, you would have been provided with a sufficient dose of anesthesia so you won't feel pain.
- Allow bone growth - After the procedure, the dentist usually allows for a certain amount of time to allow osseointegration or the process of jawbone growth to a point that it amalgamates with the tip of the dental implant. The entire process can take up too several months and is required to provide a solid base for your new implants.
- Choosing artificial teeth - Once your gums are healed and the jawbone has integrated with the metal post, another procedure may be required to install an abutment or the material where the crown will latch onto. Once the abutment is attached (it is not required in some cases), you get to choose the artificial tooth which can easily be attached in an outpatient setting. Remember that artificial teeth can either be removable or fixed depending on your preference or based on the doctor's recommendations.
Whether your tooth needs replacement from root to crown, or severely damaged for whatever reason, you may want to visit a dental implants specialist near your area.