DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

Dental implant surgery is a process that substitutes tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replaces damaged or neglected teeth with artificial teeth that work much like real ones. Dental implant surgery can present a welcome option for dentures or bridgework that doesn’t fit well. 

 Dental implant surgery may include several procedures. How dental implant surgery is performed relies on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone. The significant benefit of implants is stable support for your new teeth — a process that needs the bone to heal tightly around the implant.  

Because this bone healing needs time, the procedure can take many months. 

 WHY DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY IS DONE?

Dental implants are positioned in your jawbone, where they function as the roots of missing teeth. Because the titanium in the implants links with your jawbone, the properly integrated implants can function almost as new teeth.  

 In general, dental implants may be suitable for you if you: 

•         Have one or more missing teeth 
•         Have sufficient bone or can have a bone graft 
•         Don’t have health problems that will affect bone healing. 
•         Want to enhance your smile 
•         Don’t smoke tobacco. 

 Risks 

 Like any surgery, dental implant surgery poses some health hazards. Problems are infrequent and they’re usually minor and efficiently treated when they occur. Risks include: 

•         Infection at the implant site 
•         Injury or harm to surrounding structures, such as additional teeth or blood vessels 
•         Nerve damage can induce pain, and numbness of the teeth, gums, lips or chin. 
•         Sinus issues when dental implants are positioned in the upper jaw. 

 How you prepare  

The planning procedure for dental implants may involve an assortment of specialists. 

Because dental implants might need one or more surgical operations, you must have a complete evaluation to qualify for the process, including a: 

•         Comprehensive dental examination includes dental X-rays,3D images and models created of your teeth and jaw. 
•         Review your medical history. Tell your dentist about any medical condition, and any medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements. If you have specific heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your doctor may specify antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection. 
•         Treatment plan. Tailored to your situation, this plan considers aspects such as how many teeth you need to be replaced and the situation of your jawbone and remaining teeth. 

To control ache, anesthesia options during surgery contain local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. Speak to your dental specialist regarding which choice is best for you. Your dental care team will teach you about eating and drinking before surgery, depending on what sort of anesthesia you have. If you include sedation or general anesthesia, plan to have somebody take you home after surgery and wish to rest for the remainder of the day.  

What you can expect  

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient surgery conducted in stages, with recovery time between procedures. The procedure of placing a dental implant concerns multiple steps, including: 

•         Damaged tooth extraction 
•         Jawbone preparation (grafting), when required 
•         Dental implant station 
•         Healing and recovery 
•         Abutment placement 
•         Crown placement 

 The whole process can take many months, from start to finish. Much of that time is dedicated to healing and staying for the growth of new bone in your jaw. Relying on your situation, the exact procedure, or the materials utilized, certain steps can occasionally be combined. 

 When bone grafting is required 

 If your jawbone isn’t wide or long enough, you may require bone grafting before you can receive a dental implant. That’s because the strong chewing action of your mouth exerts tremendous pressure on your bone, and if it didn’t sustain the implant, the surgery probably would fail. A bone graft can form a more solid base for the implant. 

 Several bone graft materials can be utilized to rebuild a jawbone. Options may contain a natural bone graft from another area in your body or a synthetic bone graft, such as bone-substitute material that can deliver support structures for new bone growth. Speak to your doctor about alternatives that will perform best for you. 

 The situation of your jawbone decides how you proceed. It may carry various months for the transplanted bone to create enough new bone to support a dental implant.  In some cases, you may require only minor bone grafting, which can be accomplished simultaneously as dental implant surgery.