Dental implants are today's most advanced tooth replacement option. These prosthetics provide excellent chewing ability, a natural appearance, and improved oral health.
Patients who contemplate receiving dental implants often have questions about the process. They may have heard that getting implants is both complex and uncomfortable. With a highly experienced team led by Dr. Calem, the dental implant process is more straightforward than patients expect.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Consultation
The first step in your dental implant journey is scheduling a consultation with a periodontist. Your doctor will determine whether you are a suitable candidate by taking digital images of your oral and facial anatomy. A Cone Beam 3D Scanner provides highly detailed images that help your periodontist understand your teeth, gums, and bone structure.
Bone Grafting and Ridge Preservation (If Necessary)
One of the most significant factors your doctor considers is whether you have sufficient bone mass to proceed with surgery. If your bone mass is low, you can undergo a bone graft or ridge preservation surgery. A bone graft takes ground and sterilized donor material and places it in your jawbone. The donor material creates a scaffold for new, natural bone mass. In six to nine months, your bone graft will be ready to receive an implant.
Implant Surgery
Although implant surgery may seem intimidating, it is now a well-tolerated procedure that many patients find easier than a tooth extraction.
After numbing the area, your periodontist will make a small incision in the gum and use a specialized tool to create an opening in the jawbone. The doctor will place a titanium implant anchor inside the opening and secure the gum over it.
Healing
As the implant site heals, the anchor will bond with your jawbone in osseointegration. Osseointegration creates a firm, natural-feeling bond between the bone and the new prosthetic.
Abutment Placement
After the anchor bonds with the jawbone, the doctor opens the gum again to access the implant. They place a small stainless steel abutment or cap over the implant and secure the gum around it. Another healing period follows.
Restoration
After your abutment has fully healed, it is time for your final restoration. Your restorative dentist can place a crown, bridge, or denture to replace one or more natural teeth.
Timeline for Receiving Dental Implants
- Bone Grafting: Not all patients need this step, which can take 6-9 months to heal.
- Initial Healing After Surgery: 3-4 months
- Abutment Healing: 2-3 months
- Restoration Completion: Approximately 5 to 7 months with no bone graft and 12 to 16 months with a bone graft.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants can change your life. You will no longer have to worry about others noticing your missing or broken tooth. You will feel more like smiling, which may attract personal and professional opportunities.
Further benefits of dental implants include:
- Natural chewing ability with the ability to eat nearly every food
- Easy to care for and keep clean with brushing, flossing, and keeping scheduled dental check-ups
- Prevents the jawbone from breaking down in the absence of a natural tooth
- Prevents orthodontic issues caused by missing teeth, including crowding and uneven tooth wear
- 95% success rate in most cases
- Allows a more nutritious diet than denture patients can consume
- No slipping, clicking, or trapping food
- An attractive appearance that matches your healthy smile
- Improved self-confidence in social and business settings
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Patients with missing or damaged teeth often seek treatment with dental implants. Patients need to meet the following criteria:
- No untreated tooth decay or gum disease
- Non-smokers or willing to quit since nicotine interferes with the healing process
- No medical issues that interfere with healing, including uncontrolled diabetes
- Sufficient jawbone mass or ability to receive a bone graft
- Healthy enough for a surgical procedure
Are dental implants permanent?
The implant post can last decades and may even last a lifetime with proper care. However, the crown, bridge, or denture on top will need periodic replacement, especially if you grind or clench your teeth. If you grind your teeth, ask your restorative dentist about getting a mouthguard.
At Medford Periodontics, we provide expert care tailored to your needs. Whether you need periodontal care or want to receive dental implants, we can help restore and protect your oral health. Please contact us at our Medford, NJ, office to schedule your consultation today!