Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. They are natural-looking and natural-feeling, they can last for a lifetime, and they provide an extremely strong bite. They can even help to preserve bone mass in the jaw. Would you like to regain your lost smile via dental implants? Here is a look at the treatment process ahead of you and a general timeline of the steps along your upcoming journey.
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, your dentist will take some images of your mouth and discuss your smile goals with you. This is also your opportunity to talk about any questions or concerns you may have regarding implants. If it looks like you are a good candidate for the procedure, your dentist will create a detailed plan for your treatment process.
Preparatory Work
Some patients need a bone graft or gum disease treatment before they’re eligible to receive dental implants. These procedures greatly increase the chances that the implants will have the strong base of support they need and not be compromised by any infections.
Placement Surgery
In some cases, it is possible to do a bone graft at the same time as the implant placement surgery. In other cases, you may have to wait between four and 12 months following the graft before the bone is ready to support the implants. This healing period is necessary because if your jaw lacks the density, width, or height it needs to bond properly with your implant, your treatment is much more likely to fail.
During the placement surgery, your dentist will create incisions in the gums and insert the implants. Then, a process known as osseointegration begins; this is when the implants fuse with the bone around them, thus creating the strongest base of support possible for your new smile. This bonding period may take between three and seven months.
Restoration
When your implants and your mouth are ready, your dentist will create custom new teeth to go on top of them. It may be two or three weeks between the time your dentist takes the impressions of your mouth and the time when your permanent restoration arrives.
Are Implants Worth the Time Investment?
From beginning to end, the entire dental implant process may take several months to a year or longer. There are other tooth replacement solutions that take much less time, but they lack many of the benefits that implants offer. For example, traditional dentures provide a weaker bite force and need to be replaced every few years. A dental bridge is quite strong, but it does not support jawbone health and requires that the neighboring teeth be crowned.
Implants are the next best thing to natural teeth — the gorgeous, functional, and long-lasting results they offer are worth the wait!
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington is a founding member of Advanced Dental Implant Studies, a group of dentists that works hard to advance implant dentistry. If you would like to learn more about dental implants or Dr. Kennington’s qualifications to perform this treatment, contact Cowlitz River Dental at 360-274-9100.