Dental Implants Procedure and How the Process Works
Your overall health and oral condition is very crucial when you are planning a dental implants procedure. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration, therefore a thorough examination is very important to the process. Determining your oral condition will enable your dental team to create a treatment plan for your specific case. A dental implant is defined as an implantable prosthetic device. It will be placed into it’s predetermined position and can take from a few weeks to several months to fully integrate with your bone. In general, the entire process can be summed up in 6 steps, many of which can be combined to save time.
Step 1: Evaluation
During your first visit, you will be carefully examined and your overall oral condition evaluated. A series of necessary x-rays will also be taken to determine your suitability for implant treatment. Shortly thereafter, a plaster model of your teeth will be created to support our decision, regarding which implant option will benefit and serve you the most.
During this essential stage you will receive an overall synopsis of the risks, and benefits associated with the dental implants procedure. Regardless of your oral condition you’ll be provided with the best possible solution to meet your specific needs, and assure your most aesthetically pleasing end result.
Step 2: CT Scanning
In order to provide us with structure and assurance that our intended plans for your final implant and tooth positioning are 100% accurate. A state of the art 3D – CT scanning machine with virtual planning software will be used. The results of the scan will give us a visual preview of the precise location of where your implant will be placed, and the actual design of your replacement teeth.
We of course will need know whether you have sufficient bone quality and quantity, prior to your treatment. We’ll also be looking at the quantity and quality of your gum tissue. Because research is now revealing that more gum is desirable for the long term protection of your dental implant.
Step 3: Dental implant – yikes the surgery!
It’s not unusual if your terrified by the thought of undergoing implant surgery. However, the reality is (as statistics have proven), most patients end up being just fine during and after this very common treatment. If you are really worried about the dental implants procedure we will understand, and you can choose to use a sedative to maximize your comfort. In which case you’ll sleep through process like a baby, who’s just been nursed. But overall, whether sedated or not, there really should be no presence of significant pain during the operation.
If you’d prefer not knowing what the procedure is like, then feel free to stop reading!
The actual process begins with an incision in the gum where the implant will be placed. Next, the gum is retracted by a series of different diameter drills, creating a hole that is wide enough for your implant to be placed. Then, a titanium implant post is gently inserted into this hole. After that, we put a small sanitary covering over the incision to keep to keep foreign matters out of the area. Often we build up the gum and secure the area by using sutures, closing the wound beautifully and completely.
From this point forward, the healing process begins, and you’ll receive a temporary crown if replacing a front tooth. If your implant is positioned in the back a temporary tooth is rarely necessary.
Step 4: Recovery period
After your surgery, you may develop some swelling and in the rare case where a large bone graft was required, bruising can also occur. The gums are usually bruised and or swollen, and the implant area can be a bit sensitive with some minor bleeding. Therefore, for the first few days, it is advised that your be very gentle near the procedure site. Pain medications can be prescribed if needed, to ease your post surgery discomfort.
The healing process can vary from case to case, usually taking anywhere from 3-6 months. During this period, a process called Osseointegration occurs, and the cells in your bone fuse (or integrate) with your implant forming a solid bond. During this period you’ll be advised to avoid extremely hard or tough to chew foods. It is crucial that your implant is not disturbed by too much micro motion, so it will integrate well with your jawbone and reduce potential complications.
Step 5: The permanent teeth are placed
Once your implant has fully integrated with your bone, a minor surgery will be performed. To uncover or shape the gum, which requires a scan of the area and also an impression. The goal is to develop a satisfactory gum contour to prepare the area for the most appropriately shaped abutment. The abutment will become the platform for your permanent tooth placement. This custom abutment is designed to screw onto your implant which becomes the base for your new crown.
To ensure your new root will last your lifetime, you’ll have to wait for your gums to heal once more, which usually takes about a week. By the time your final healing process is complete your permanent crown will be ready to be placed on your implant. The crown will be custom designed by our on site, internationally staffed lab department. They’ll use a high tech scanning process and precision materials that are very strong, durable, and user friendly, to provide you with a surprisingly natural look.
Finally, your permanent tooth will be either screwed or cemented on top of the dental implant.
Step 6: Maintenance
It is absolutely crucial that you realize that dental implants are very similar to your natural teeth. Which means you must pay close attention and stay committed to maintaining a high level of oral hygiene. You must brush and floss (or proxy brush) your implants, restored teeth and gums daily, to create a healthy environment. Gum disease can lead to implant failure, because it weakens the gum tissue and stimulates bone loss.
If you are reaping the benefits of a recent dental implants procedure you received from us, you should be enjoying your new smile for 10, 20, 30 years or for the remainder of your life! We’re quite certain with routine visits to your dentist for exams and cleanings, that your oral condition will remain trouble free. If you’d like more information about implants, contact us at one of the Westcoast International Dental Clinics in Vietnam.