If you have missing teeth in your mouth, dental implants offer many benefits and are an excellent way of replacing them. Dental implants are the most reliable and effective method of replacing missing teeth.
No matter the cause of your missing tooth, be it a tooth extraction or severe periodontal disease, our dentists at Hunter Dental Care will help replace it by performing a dental implant procedure.
It is essential to note that this procedure takes several steps depending on the type of implant you need.
If you don't know what a dental implant procedure involves, our experts are here to discuss the procedure with you.
Consultation
The dental implant procedure starts with a consultation. This is an essential step of the entire dental implant procedure.
During the consultation, our experts will thoroughly examine your mouth and create an accurate diagnosis of your oral needs.
Whether you have lost your teeth to a single-tooth extraction or multiple-tooth extraction, an evaluation of your mouth will help identify your specific needs.
A correct and comprehensive diagnosis of your teeth is vital because it lays the foundation for the dental implant procedure. Without a diagnosis, you might not get the ideal procedure. During the initial consultation, our team will discuss the state of your oral health, perform a comprehensive oral exam, and identify any challenges you might have.
The oral exam includes 3D imaging or dental x-rays that will show the state of your oral health in great detail. We will also explain the dental implant procedure and the different types of dental implants you can use.
To address your specific oral problems, we will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This makes it more effective and reliable.
When it comes to oral health problems, no two cases are identical.
Therefore, our experts will examine your mouth and identify your specific oral problem. Then, we will determine the best treatment option for your case.
We strive to ensure that every patient feels as comfortable as possible and well-informed about their diagnosis. We will also provide you with all the information you need regarding your treatment plan.
During the consultation, you will be able to ask us questions you have regarding the dental implant procedure.
We will tell you whether you are a good candidate for dental implants and how they can improve your oral health. Our experts are highly experienced in this field and are ready to answer any questions you have.
Preparation and Placement
The next step in the dental implant procedure is preparation and placement. This happens during your next scheduled visit.
We will start the treatment plan as discussed during the consultation. Sometimes, we might need to perform additional procedures before placing the implants in the patient's jawbone.
Given that dental implants are artificial roots that will replace your missing teeth, we anchor them into your jawbone and make them as firm as natural tooth roots.
This is crucial as it prevents the dental bridge or crown from coming out when you bite on something. If you lack sufficient bone density to support the dental implant, we will perform a bone graft procedure before placing the implant.
Alternatively, we can perform ridge modification or a sinus lift to make the process easy. In case you suffer from oral conditions like periodontal disease, we will first restore the health of your gums before placing the dental implants.
This prevents them from falling out due to poor gum health. We ensure that the gum grafting procedure is done on the same visit as the implant placement.
Our team will either perform a bone graft procedure to restore lost bone mass or ensure sufficient bone mass supports the dental implant.
We can also directly place the dental implant into the jaw in place of a missing or lost tooth. Whether you lost your teeth through a tooth extraction or oral disease, you can be sure of a solid tooth replacement in implants.
The jaw is a secure anchor that keeps the dental implants in position by securing the artificial tooth root.
The entire dental implant placement procedure is painless as you will be under sedation. We use a local anesthetic to numb the area so that you don't feel anything during the process.
Scanning
Next in the dental implant procedure is scanning. In this step, we utilize advanced technology to take a 3D digital scan of your missing tooth.
The scan is then sent to a lab where we create a temporary artificial tooth. This is crucial for your smile as it ensures you have a complete set of teeth while the dental implant heals over the next four months.
Scanning takes less than 24 hours, with patients returning the next day to have the artificial tooth placed in their mouth.
We ensure that you have the artificial tooth on time to have a natural smile. We strive to match the color of the artificial tooth with natural teeth to make it blend seamlessly.
This makes your smile as natural as possible.
Osseointegration
Once we have placed the dental implants in your mouth, it takes between four to six months for the implant to fuse into your jawbone naturally. This process is referred to as osseointegration.
The process ensures that the dental implant integrates into your jawbone to form a secure, strong connection between the jaw and the implant.
Even though the time it takes for osseointegration varies from person to person, it typically takes about four months.
Permanent Restoration
After the four months lapse, you will return to our offices for a final restoration. At this point, the permanent teeth will match the color of your existing natural teeth.
This will ensure you have a beautiful, natural smile. The restoration will feel, look, and function just like natural teeth.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Procedure Today!
If you have missing teeth, our dentists at Hunter Dental Care will help replace them by performing a dental implant procedure for single or multiple tooth implants.
You don't have to worry about gaps in your mouth; implants do an excellent job of replacing missing teeth. Call (503) 256-3737 today to schedule your dental implant appointment.
