How does the dental implant procedure work?

Our team at Burncoat Family Dental appreciates that many people can be anxious about dental implants. However, we are committed to creating a safe, pain-free, and reassuring environment at our practice. We work extensively with state of the art dentistry technology and dental dentistry equipment to ensure high precision and care throughout all procedures. 

Not everyone will require a dental implant for a missing tooth. A first examination will determine the number of missing teeth, their position, and your overall dental health. We will also consider whether you need to proceed to a tooth extraction to enable the implant. 

We will help you prepare for the surgical procedure with pre-op management instructions if dental implants are necessary. These are designed to reduce risks and improve the chances of success, and they often include antibiotic therapy and antiseptic mouthwash rinsing. 

We also inform our patients about the full duration of the process. It typically takes between 6 and 9 months for dental implants to be finalized. This is to ensure the gum and jawbone are fully healed. The idea is that the titanium screw can improve the integrity of the jawbone structure and strength of the gum. Therefore, it is essential to wait until the area is entirely healed to proceed with the addition of the crown. 

Dental Implants – Phase 1

The first phase focuses on inserting the titanium screw inside the bone structure. The procedure is painless through the use of local anesthesia, which numbs the area before the implant. We can also use IV sedation for patients who have severe dental anxiety or are allergic to the numbing agent. 

Your dentist proceeds with an incision through the gum at the location where the implant will be placed. The incision exposes the jawbone for drilling. We use a specifically designed drill to mark the spot where the titanium screw of the implant will be inserted into the bone. 

The screw is inserted into the jawbone. It is important to leave the screw during the whole duration of the healing process. Indeed, the bone and the gum will grow back around the screw to solidify the structure. The gums are stitched over the implant at the end of the procedure. 

Dental Implants – Phase 2

The patient needs to wait several months to ensure the healing process is complete. Everyone has a different healing pace. However, most people will be ready to move to phase 2 within 6 to 9 months. 

You will be fitted with the upper end of the dental implant, the crown, during this stage. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth, using an extension placed over the implant to make the crown. The process can require multiple dental appointments to check both the healing and the progress of the impressions. 

Once the tooth part of the implant is ready and made to fit inside your mouth, it is placed on the titanium screw. Dental implants are invisible because they are designed to match the shape and color of your existing teeth. 

We ensure that you understand how to care for and maintain your dental implant and crown. Brushing and flossing remain necessary, even when you have an implant. Additionally, we recommend keeping up to date with your dental appointments and cleaning.