A dental implant procedure entails restoring and replacing your permanent teeth lost due to infection or trauma. Your specialist will extensively evaluate your mouth and ascertain whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. If you have lost one or more of your permanent teeth, a dental implant Chesterfield can restore your confidence and teeth function.
Who is the right candidate for a dental implant procedure?
You are the right candidate for the procedure if you have missing teeth, either from infection or an accident. Your jawbone must be able to support an implant. If not, your surgeon might recommend a bone graft procedure to help strengthen your jawbone. After healing, they can begin the implant procedure.
Before the procedure
You will consult your specialist about the procedure, and they will carry out tests like X-rays and CT scans to check your bone density. Your surgeon will also ask about your medical history and desired outcome.
During the procedure
Your surgeon will use a mild or moderate anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. They will drill a small hole into your jaw and place the implant, which is a titanium rod. The surgeon will then place a temporary crown to protect the implant. Then, they will enclose the gum area to fit around the implant.
The next step of the surgery is osseointegration which involves the implant fusing with the surrounding bone tissues. This process can last between three to six months. Your surgeon will provide guidelines on how to continue your daily activities.
After osseointegration comes the fitting of the abutment. The abutment acts as a shock absorber between your implant and your prosthetic crown. Your surgeon will use a local anesthetic during the procedure to ensure your comfort.
The final step of the procedure is called the final fitting, which involves your surgeon removing the prosthetic crown and replacing it with a permanent one. From here on, you will not need more surgical procedures.
After the procedure
Depending on the number of surgical procedures you undergo, you might experience swelling, bruising, and slight pain. If you have a straightforward procedure, you can resume work the day after your procedure.
Understanding that the entire procedure can take between four and nine months to complete is crucial. If you need a bone graft procedure before the implant, you will take more time to recover than someone with straightforward implant surgery.
Recovery
Your specialist will give you guidelines that will help you take care of your implant and your mouth as a whole. You can include the following after the procedure:
- Use pain medication when necessary
- Improve and maintain good dental hygiene
- Eat soft foods for the first three weeks after surgery
- Avoid smoking to promote quick healing
If you have damaged and missing teeth, visit Chesterfield Dentistry for a dental implant procedure. Qualified and experienced specialists can help you replace your missing teeth. Call or book an appointment online and restore your teeth function and self-confidence.
