Dental implants are the most effective and durable long-term solution for tooth loss. They provide crucial stimulation that preserves jawbone density and facial structure. They offer support that prevents shifting or overcrowding among remaining teeth. Finally, they provide a stable foundation that fully restores biting, chewing, and speaking functions.
How exactly do dental implants get into position to work their magic? Here is a detailed look at the entire dental implant process!
Breaking Down the Dental Implant Process, Step-By-Step
- Initial consultation — In this initial meeting, your dentist will take full-mouth x-rays and impressions and comprehensively evaluate your oral health.
- Treatment planning — Based on the assessment, your dentist creates a custom treatment plan, including supporting procedures.
- Dental extraction (if necessary) — If part of the damaged natural tooth is still in the jawbone, it must be removed, and the site must be allowed to heal before an implant is placed.
- Bone Grafting (if needed) — If a patient’s jawbone lacks the density to support a dental implant, a bone graft can help sufficiently strengthen the bone.
- Implant placement — After the site is anesthetized, the dentist places the implant in the jawbone through an incision in the gum tissue. The implant is carefully and securely placed in this hole.
- Osseointegration—Once the implant is in place, it fuses permanently with the jawbone over several months via osseointegration.
- Abutment—Once osseointegration is complete, an “abutment” connects the implant to a final dental restoration.
- Final restoration — After the gums heal around the abutment, the dentist takes new impressions to create a custom-made restoration (often a dental crown or bridge) that matches your natural tooth’s color, size, and shape.
Once the process is complete, we schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and make any adjustments to the restoration.
Precisely Placing Dental Implants in Colorado Springs, CO
If you’re looking for a top dental practice in Colorado Springs to expertly and efficiently guide you through the dental implant process, from consultation to placement to aftercare, contact Dr. Michael Terveen and the friendly and skilled Springs Family Dental team to schedule a consultation.