Implant Surgery
Implants serve as roots for missing teeth. They are surgically placed into your jawbone and are a great solution to the issue of natural tooth roots not being viable. Implant surgery is performed to provide reliable support for your new teeth and is a more permanent choice than dentures or a dental bridge.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several indications for why you might be a good candidate for a dental implant:
- You have one or more missing teeth.
- Your jawbone has reached its full growth.
- You have a viable bone for implants or would be a candidate for a bone graft.
- Your oral tissues are healthy.
- You don't have any bone healing health issues.
- You're not a smoker
Implant tooth replacement may take several months to complete. A lot of the time is spent healing after procedures to get ready for the next. Let's go over what that process entails:
The first part is the "post" implant placement surgery. This takes about 30 minutes and may require a few stitches. A temporary crown will be placed over this area once the surgery is complete. Note that your mouth must heal entirely from a post implant before the abutment can be attached. The abutment placement is a minor surgery. It takes approximately two weeks to heal post-op.
The final step is the artificial tooth placement. You and your dental professional can decide which is the best fit for you. There is a removable tooth option. Or, you can go with a permanent crown. Once your abutment placement area is healed, your dental professional will make impressions of your mouth for your new tooth. The only caveat to this plan is if your jawbone requires a bone graft. That process would be the very first step and can add up to three months to your timeframe.