Dental implants provide an alternative to dentures and dental bridges when it comes to replacing missing teeth. The process involves fusing titanium posts, which act as tooth roots, to the jaw and placing an artificial tooth to the abutment that is attached to the post. The implants hold the artificial teeth in place and also stimulate bone growth in the jaw.
The answer to this question depends on if the patient is getting regular dental implants or mini dental implants.
If the patient is getting regular dental implants, the entire process takes months to complete. After the patient’s mouth has been examined by their oral surgeon and the oral surgeon determines there is sufficient bone density to hold the implant in place and the patient’s gums are healthy enough for the procedure, the oral surgeon will proceed with the surgery.
The first step in the dental implant surgery procedure is to fuse the titanium post to the jaw, which means the surgeon will cut open the patient’s gums and drill holes in the jawbone where the implant will be placed. After the implant has been placed in the jawbone, the patient has to wait until the jawbone grows into and unites with the surface of the dental implant, which can take several months.
Once the bone has grown around the implant to hold it in place and the gums are healed, the surgeon will place an abutment, the piece where the crown will eventually attach, on the implant. If surgery is needed to place the abutment, the patient will have to wait for a few weeks for the gums to heal. After the gum heals, the artificial tooth will then be attached to the abutment to complete the process.
Mini dental implants are typically used when the patient does not have the bone density to support a regular implant. The implants have the same structure as dental implants but are slightly smaller and do not require extensive surgery. Instead of the titanium post being fused to the jawbone, the mini dental implants are placed in the lower jaw with the help of diagnostic imaging tools, which help the surgeon mark the proper locations for the implants.
Once the surgeon has marked the proper locations for the mini implants, they will use a drill to create small holes in the tissue before inserting the implants and holding them in place with drivers and wrenches. After the mini implants have been placed, the surgeon will then fit the dentures with metal housings, allowing it to snap onto the head of the implants, holding the dentures securely in place. Since the dentures used on mini dental implants are attached to the implants before they are fused to the jaw, the patient does not have to go back to the oral surgeon after the procedure is over to get the teeth attached to the implants
Getting an artificial tooth attached to a dental implant can be done before the implant is fused to the jaw or months after, depending on the type of dental implant your oral surgeon uses to replace your missing teeth. If you are interested in getting dental implants, schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon to determine which type is right for you.
Request an appointment here: https://thevannuysdentists.com or call Dr. David Esraeli DDS at (818) 574-4438 for an appointment in our Van Nuys office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If you have lost most or all of your teeth to decay and other injuries, consider looking into implant supported dentures. Like real dentures, these models provide a replacement for missing teeth. However, the implants in implant supported dentures are fused to the jawbone, allowing for much more support for the replacement teeth.There are two…
Dental implants are one of the options that you get to explore if you are looking to replace missing teeth. These are metal rods or screws placed in the jaw to replace teeth roots, and implants are fitted with restorations like bridges, dentures, and crowns to replace teeth.The ideal candidate for dental implants is healthy…
Typing dentist near me in your search box can give you a great start. Getting comprehensive oral care from the right dental care professional is the goal. A provider near you will give you easier access to necessary dental treatments. Entering dentist near me in your online search can give you an advantage in your…
A cosmetic dentistry consultation is the first step to getting the stunning smile you deserve. Before your consultation appointment, you need to know the issues you want to address, your budget, and the procedures you think will fit your needs. You should make a list of questions you want to ask your dentist during your…
The ideal candidate for dental implants is healthy enough to recover from minor oral surgery.…
Finding the right general dentist can help maintain good oral health. It can also help…
A cosmetic dentistry consultation is the first step to getting the stunning smile you deserve.
The smile makeover process may include one or 10 appointments, depending on the patient's desires…
Learning how to properly care for and use your dentures is one of the more…
It is important to treat a dental emergency as soon as possible to prevent any…