Dental implant placement is an increasingly common procedure. However, there is still a lot of fear and mystery surrounding it, since it is a multi-step surgical procedure.
We will help you demystify this procedure by clarifying every step of the process, as well as explaining the existence of several sessions separated by several months.
At the Centre Dentaire & d’Implantologie Boucherville, we are always here to help you better understand your mouth.
The Preliminary Steps: The Beginning of the Process
Before proceeding with the installation of a dental implant, it is important to have an initial consultation with your dentist so that he or she can evaluate your oral health condition and adapt the best treatment to it.
This evaluation includes:
- A complete mouth examination
- X-rays of your teeth and jaw
- A questionnaire to learn about your medical history and preferences (for example, if you prefer to be asleep during the procedure)
Thanks to this information, your dentist will be able to determine the importance of the implant and the needs of your mouth. This consultation is also vital in designing a custom-made implant for your mouth.
The Procedure: The Placement of the Dental Implant
Generally, the procedure will be performed under local anesthesia in your mouth, inside your dental clinic. Some circumstances may require general anesthesia or a procedure carried out elsewhere, for example in a hospital, but this is not the norm.
The first dental implant session usually occurs in four main steps:
- The gum is incised at the implant site
- The dental surgeon opens the alveolar bone
- The implant is then inserted into this bone
- An implant abutment is attached to the implant
Depending on your situation, your surgeon may choose to perform the operation in two stages, which means that you will have to expect a delay between the placement of the implant and the abutment.
Implant Abutments: Two Possible Types
There are two types of implant abutments, and your surgeon will select the option that best suits your needs and health.
The first abutment, the cicatrisation, is designed for the two-phase implant procedure. After implanting the tooth, the surgeon closes the gum.
After a period of 3 to 6 months, necessary to ensure that the implant is well attached to the bone, the specialist will cut the gum again to release the implant and fix the abutment.
The second possible type of abutment, the healing abutment, is used for operations that are conducted in a single phase. The abutment is inserted during the first session and the gum is closed around it.
Since it must remain in your mouth for the entire bone healing process, care must be taken when chewing and brushing your teeth.
Regardless of which type of abutment is placed, it will be necessary to wait for another 3 to 6 months to ensure that your gums and mouth heal properly around the implant and provisional abutment.
Denture Placement: The Final Step
Once the abutment is in place and the bone and gum tissue have healed, it’s time for the final step: placing your denture.
For this step, your surgeon-dentist will replace the provisional implant abutment so that the prosthesis can be placed.
Your dentist will usually be the one to handle this part of the procedure.
Whether it’s a single or multiple-denture, it’s important to know that your dentist will have used the x-rays and other information gathered during the evaluation of your mouth to create custom-made dentures.
Your prosthesis will therefore have no problem fitting into your mouth without interfering with your chewing or jaw movements.
Dental Implants: A Gift for Your Mouth
Although this procedure takes several months and may seem too long to be worth it, you should never underestimate the positive impacts of a dental implant on your health and well-being.
In addition to avoiding problems related to the absence of one or more teeth in your dentition, patients often find a sense of well-being when they regain a full set of teeth.
Whether it’s for dental implants or for any other oral health service or advice, at the Centre Dentaire & d’Implantologie Boucherville we are here to help you! Book your appointment now!