Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular treatment for missing teeth. This long-term treatment is one of the most reliable methods available for rehabilitating your smile and is designed in a way that mimics your natural teeth. Lasting for decades at a time (with the right maintenance),dental implants are far more comfortable than removable prostheses like dentures. Wondering how it works? Here’s the step-by-step process:

Preparation

The first step begins with a thorough examination of your mouth to create an implant treatment plan. An x-ray will be taken to detect underlying problems that might complicate the implant process. In emergencies, it is possible to extract the tooth and place the implant on the same day but the usual process is to wait between 1-2 months after extraction before moving on to the next step. A bone graft can be carried out for individuals with a weak or damaged jawbone but this requires 3-12 months of healing before proceeding with the implant.

Implant placement

During implant placement, a titanium screw is placed into the jawbone to imitate a secure root. Once done, the gum tissue will be sutured over to cover the implant, avoiding the possibility of any food getting lodged there. The implant goes through a process of attaching to the bone (known as osseointegration), which can take a period of 4 to 6 months.

Installing abutment

Once the implant is fully integrated, the abutment will be installed. This is the connecting element between the implant and the crown. This is a minor surgery, which will only need a local anesthetic. There are instances where the implant and abutment are installed in one process. The healing period for this step can take approximately two weeks, and a temporary crown may be fitted on top during this time.

Placing the crown

Using dental impressions, a crown will be designed in our state-of-the-art laboratory to imitate your natural teeth. They will then be permanently bonded or screwed in to the abutment. These permanent crowns are far more durable than the temporary ones used, meant to withstand daily wear and tear.

Recovery

While recovery time varies from individual to individual, the average recovery time is about 4 weeks. At Purity Dental, we’ll supply you with detailed after-care instructions to follow, and our dental staff is just one call away for any clarifications!

Want more information on our quality dental implants? Call our expert team at Purity Dental on (03) 9540 8900 for more details!