So you are thinking about having one or more dental implants installed or maybe you are just curious about the procedure. Well, luck y for you, I will explain the dental implant procedure right here.
In order to have dental implants installed successfully, you want to make sure you select a competent dentist, one who has experience in installing dental implants. Choosing an appropriate dentist can make all the difference in the world.
After you have selected a dentist that you feel comfortable with, the next step of the dental implant procedure is to have a consultation. This evaluation with the dentist will give you an idea of what would need to be done, how long it will take and how much it will cost. Keep in mind, dental implants can be very pricey, in fact $2000 each is not uncommon.
Usually dental implants consist of a titanium screw and a separate prosthetic tooth. This screw will be used to anchor into the alveolar bone. Because the surface of this anchor is usually rough, before the dentist places the anchor portion of the implant in your mouth, the surface of the anchor will usually be treated by either plasma spraying or etching. This smoothes the surface of the metal, making it more likely to attached to the bone. Once this is done, a "pilot hole" is drilled into the bone where the implant will be placed.
This pilot whole is small and so the dentist will continue to widen the hole using larger and larger drill bits. It's important for the area to be kept cool so usually the dentist will spray the area with saline while it is being drilled out.
Once this is done, the next step of the dental implant procedure is to screw the titanium anchor into the jaw bone. The screw itself is self tapping and is set into the bone with precise torque so as not to overload the surrounding bone. Once this is done, and the anchor is set, a cover cap is placed on top of the anchor and then is allowed to heal for several months. Usually between 3 to 6 months.
Once the dentist is satisfied that the anchor has biomechanically fused with the jaw bone, the gums are cut back open revealing the anchor tip and cover. The cover is then removed and the permanent tooth is place by the dental specialist. If everything is done correctly, the dental implant should look like a natural tooth and will last a lifetime with proper care.
|
