Dental implants provide an alternative to dentures and dental bridges when it comes to replacing missing teeth. The process involves fusing titanium posts, which act as tooth roots, to the jaw and placing an artificial tooth to the abutment that is attached to the post. The implants hold the artificial teeth in place and also stimulate bone growth in the jaw.
The answer to this question depends on if the patient is getting regular dental implants or mini dental implants.
If the patient is getting regular dental implants, the entire process takes months to complete. After the patient’s mouth has been examined by their oral surgeon and the oral surgeon determines there is sufficient bone density to hold the implant in place and the patient’s gums are healthy enough for the procedure, the oral surgeon will proceed with the surgery.
The first step in the dental implant surgery procedure is to fuse the titanium post to the jaw, which means the surgeon will cut open the patient’s gums and drill holes in the jawbone where the implant will be placed. After the implant has been placed in the jawbone, the patient has to wait until the jawbone grows into and unites with the surface of the dental implant, which can take several months.
Once the bone has grown around the implant to hold it in place and the gums are healed, the surgeon will place an abutment, the piece where the crown will eventually attach, on the implant. If surgery is needed to place the abutment, the patient will have to wait for a few weeks for the gums to heal. After the gum heals, the artificial tooth will then be attached to the abutment to complete the process.
Mini dental implants are typically used when the patient does not have the bone density to support a regular implant. The implants have the same structure as dental implants but are slightly smaller and do not require extensive surgery. Instead of the titanium post being fused to the jawbone, the mini dental implants are placed in the lower jaw with the help of diagnostic imaging tools, which help the surgeon mark the proper locations for the implants.
Once the surgeon has marked the proper locations for the mini implants, they will use a drill to create small holes in the tissue before inserting the implants and holding them in place with drivers and wrenches. After the mini implants have been placed, the surgeon will then fit the dentures with metal housings, allowing it to snap onto the head of the implants, holding the dentures securely in place. Since the dentures used on mini dental implants are attached to the implants before they are fused to the jaw, the patient does not have to go back to the oral surgeon after the procedure is over to get the teeth attached to the implants
Getting an artificial tooth attached to a dental implant can be done before the implant is fused to the jaw or months after, depending on the type of dental implant your oral surgeon uses to replace your missing teeth. If you are interested in getting dental implants, schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon to determine which type is right for you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drroberttamaki.com or call Dr. Robert B Tamaki, DDS at (310) 402-0156 for an appointment in our Los Angeles office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Whether you have not visited the dentist in a long time, have never been, or are simply switching general dentists, it is normal to have questions on your mind. Patients often want to ask about their current oral health, such as whether they need to be worried about cavities or persistent tooth sensitivity. They may…
Many patients have issues with the appearance of their smile. Whether looking to fix a chipped tooth, whiten your teeth, or completely transform your smile, cosmetic dental services offer a wide range of solutions. If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, you may have some questions about these services and how they can benefit your oral…
General dentists are some of the most visited professionals in their field. The American Dental Association recommends that people as young as one year old maintain a biannual checkup schedule. Their primary aim is to preserve or improve patients' oral health, which they do in various ways. Let us look at six of them.Depending on…
Cosmetic dental services are procedures people turn to when they want to improve the way their smile looks. Dentists can do various things to improve smile color, alignment, and proportions. This means those unhappy with their smile can do something about it. If you have considered cosmetic dentistry but want to know more, here is…