With the rise of implant dentistry, people who have lost teeth have even more options to restore their natural look. The process for having an implant placed can vary depending upon the type of implant you have and the condition of your mouth and jawbone, but in general the procedure involves at least two phases.

The First Phase of an Implant Procedure

The first thing you’ll do when you decide to have a dental implant is consult with an implant dentist. This specialist will decide if you are a good candidate for implants. If you are, you’ll then discuss anything that must be done before you can have your implants placed. This could involve treatment for gum disease, bone grafts to ensure a secure foundation for your implants, or even smoking cessation to increase your likelihood of a successful recovery.

After these issues are dealt with, your dentist will place the root portions of your dental implants. You might have an implant placed for each missing tooth, or a few implants placed to support an entire arc of a denture. Different approaches to implant dentistry allow you some flexibility in how your implants are placed, what kind of implant you have, and what options you can pursue if you lack sufficient bone density to support traditional implants.

The Second Phase of an Implant Procedure

Some implant dentists will place the prosthetic tooth or teeth—the visible portion of your implant—immediately after the roots are placed. However, in most cases, after the root portion of the implant is placed, you’ll have a few weeks to heal from the surgery. This ensures that the roots, which are made of titanium or a titanium allow, have time to bond with the bone of your jaw. This bonding process, called osseointegration, means that your new implants will stimulate your jawbone to grow normally, as it would if you had not lost your teeth. Keeping your jawbone healthy prevents atrophy of the bone tissue, which can make your lower jaw move closer to your upper jaw over time. After this healing process is completed, your prosthetic teeth are set into place, giving you a long-lasting, natural-looking smile.

Consult with our team of implant dentists by calling our office today.