Dental Implant Restorations: Eligibility, Procedure, Benefits, and Care Tips

Thanks to dental implant technology, replacing missing teeth has never been easier. Dentures can be challenging to wear and inconvenient to maintain. Also, dental bridges might not offer you the most realistic results you might be looking for.

When dealing with tooth loss, you’re probably looking for the most natural result. This means restored appearance, strength, and functionality. Dental implant restorations give you just that. Dental implants are fixed into the jawbone of the missing tooth.

The implant fuses with the underlying bone, replacing the missing tooth’s roots and becoming a permanent part of your mouth. Once an implant heals, it looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth. In fact, it is indistinguishable from the rest of the teeth.

Are You Eligible for Dental Implants?

Since dental implants involve surgical intervention, there are a few requirements that you must meet to qualify for the treatment. These include:

• Have good oral and overall health – It’s unlikely that you’ll be eligible for a dental implant if you have an existing condition. A medical condition can slow the healing process or cause the implant to fail.
• Have the sufficient and healthy amount of jawbone and gums. Weak or insufficient jawbone increases the failure rate of implant osseointegration.
• Be a non-smoker or willing to stop tobacco use. Tobacco products are harmful to any oral therapeutic treatment. The possibility of implant failure is considerably higher among patients who smoke.
• Have a good oral hygiene routine. Good oral hygiene is vital to prevent infections around the implant area.

Dental Implant Restoration Procedure

• Initial Consultation

The first step to dental restoration is to schedule an exam with your dentist. The dentist will review your oral and overall condition to determine whether you are suitable for dental implants. The dentist may need to take x-rays during the exam. If you’re qualified, they will create a treatment plan and schedule you accordingly. If you don’t qualify, you will have alternative options offered.

• Treatment Plan

Next, the dentist will give you an overview of the treatment plan. Since each patient is unique, the treatment plan will vary from one patient to another. For instance, if you don’t have enough jawbone, you’ll begin your treatment with a bone grafting procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will also guide you on how to prepare for the treatment.

• Bone Grafting – Also known as bone augmentation, bone grafting is the process of repairing or rebuilding the jawbone. Depending on the amount of bone repair needed and the grafting performed, this process takes about 3 – 12 months from start to finish.

• Tooth Extraction – If the tooth to be replaced hasn’t been extracted yet, your dentist will likely pull it out (unless you’re getting immediate dental implants). Once the tooth is removed, you’ll have to wait for a few months for the extraction socket to heal before the implant can be placed.

• Dental Implant Surgery

It’s the most crucial stage of the treatment. For immediate dental implants, the oral surgeon begins by extracting the tooth. If the tooth is already extracted, the dentist will start by cleaning the socket to prepare it for the implant.

The dentist then fixes the implant onto the underlying jawbone through surgery. The dentist then attaches a temporary healing crown over the implant.

• Healing

The implant is supposed to bond with the underlying bone in a process called osseointegration. On average, it takes about 2 – 6 months for the implant to heal completely. During this phase, you should keep up with good oral hygiene and a soft-food diet. Follow your dentist’s instructions strictly to facilitate faster healing.

• Dental Crown Placement

After healing, your dentist will remove the temporary crown. They will then screw or cement a permanent crown over the implant.

Benefit of Dental Implant Restorations

• Permanent and durable
• Improves oral appearance and functionality
• Improves speech and chewing ability
• Natural-looking results
• Refines your facial structure
• Prevents the adjacent teeth from shifting
• Prevents jawbone deterioration
• Improves oral hygiene and health

Dental Implant Restoration Care Tips

Dental implant care and maintenance is easy and simple. Make sure to follow the dentist’s care tips, especially during the healing process. After that, maintain healthy dental practices such as:

• Brushing and flossing daily
• Eat healthy and hydrate well
• Schedule frequent dental exams and cleanings
• Avoid hard or sticky food
• Wear a mouth guard during contact sports or at night if you have bruxism
• Avoid abrasive dental products
• Avoid sugary food and beverages

Schedule Your Appointment

Are you interested in dental implant services? Contact Donald J. Mclellan, DDS, to schedule your appointment today.