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How many steps are there in a dental implant, and how long does a procedure take? Fremont, CA

How many steps are there in a dental implant, and how long does a procedure take?

Dental Implant

A dental implant is a surgical component that is interfaced with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis such as the crown, bridge, or denture. Anyone can get a dental implant, but it is recommended if the patient has decayed, broken, or chipped teeth. However, one must consult the dentist first. But one can get the implant only if they have strong gums to support it. The dental implant is one of the best treatments for patients that want to replace their missing teeth. So, let’s discuss some advantages of getting a dental implant.

Advantages of getting a dental implant:

  • It improves oral health- Dental implants do not require to reduce your other teeth as a tooth-supported bridge does. As the new teeth are directly infused with the bone of the jaw and gums, the other teeth can be cleaned easily. Hence, getting a dental implant will only improve your oral hygiene.
  • Durable- With the right care, implants can last for many years. Good implants are very durable.
  • They are convenient- Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are fixed in the same place permanently. You won’t have to remove them from time to time to clean them, as they are as natural as your original teeth.
  • They make you comfortable- If you did not feel comfortable with a broken and chipped tooth, dental implants could help you get your self-confidence back. These are just some advantages of getting a dental implant, but now that you understand what dental implants are for and the advantages of getting one. Let’s get into the step-by-step procedure of how to get one. There are three physical components of getting a dental implant. The first step is the implant itself, the second step is the abutment of teeth, and the last step is placing the prosthetic itself. But this does not explain the complete picture of the procedure, so we shall explain all three steps extensively.

Step 1

Placing the implant

The first step of this critical implant process is to bury the implant in the patient’s jaw bone through a surgical procedure. The dental implant replaces the tooth root of the patient, and it requires some time to heal. In this healing time, the dental implant integrates itself with the bone. And the bone cells attach themselves to the implant rod; they fill the spaces to secure a permanent space for the implant. The healing time usually takes around three to six months.

Step 2

Placement of the abutment

The abutment is a post that connects the implant to the prosthetic teeth. The abutment is a bridge that spans throughout the gum line so that the implant itself can stay buried. Just like the implant, the abutment requires a healing period of its own. The gums around the abutment must heal themselves and form a cuff or a collar around it, and this is very important as only after that can one place a crown over it.

Step 3

The prosthetic tooth

After both the implant site and abutment are successfully integrated, the prosthetic tooth can be fabricated and installed.

This three-step process is very complex and has to be handled very carefully by the dentist. Now that you understand what each step of the process consists of, you must be thinking of how much time it would take for you to get an implant.

The dental exams

Before getting started with the procedures, there are several dental exams that a patient has to go through. This also includes X-rays and possibly 3D scans of your whole mouth. And multiple check-ups of your mouth are done by your dentist as they have to determine the health of your gums and the strength of the jawbone to support the implant. Only after these tests can they come up with a treatment plan that suits you the best.

Implant surgery

The first step of the surgery, the implant process, usually takes up to 1 or 2 hours per implant. After this step is complete, the patient will have to wait for around three months for the placement to fully heal itself. Only after three months can the dentist finally restore the teeth. This healing period is very important, as it is when the implant integrates itself to the bone.

Post-Surgery recovery

After the surgery is done with the patients will feel swelling, bruising, and pain. This would vary from patient to patient, especially if the dentist had to remove a tooth to install the implant. The healing period after the surgery is around three months.

Abutment and crown fitting

The last step is the fitting of the crown and the abutment to the implant. This step involves exposing the gums so that the crown and abutment can imprison the implant. After the abutment is secured in its position, the crown can be fitted too. And your dental implant process is complete. A dental implant process can take several months to complete. But in the end, you will get your broken tooth replaced with a permanent tooth.

All-on-4 dental implants

If a patient has any broken or chipped teeth, then the most cost-effective way to replace all of them would be by doing an All-on-4 dental implant. As in this type of implant, you can replace all your teeth in one of your jaws with just four implants. The All-on-4 implant is also referred to as ‘implant-supported dentures.’ This procedure is only recommended if you have multiple chipped, decayed, or broken teeth in one of your jaws.

Conclusion

Hope that gives you a brief idea of what dental implant procedures are for and how long it takes to get one. We also explained all the steps involved in the procedure. If you ever feel like your oral hygiene is compromised, you should come to the Center for Implant Dentistry to meet one of our dentists. We have made it our mission to give you the best treatment possible for all your dental problems. And we are experts in the field of dental implants.