A Patient’s Guide to The Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants replace your natural teeth with fully functional dental prosthetics. If you have one or more teeth that have been lost or need to be extracted due to decay or gum disease, dental implants are the highest quality replacement option available.    Are you considering getting dental implants? This guide to the dental implant procedure will help you know what to expect. 

How Do Dental Implants Work? 

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in your jaw to replace your natural tooth root. It is shaped like a screw with threads that help it fuse with bone, forming a solid bond that acts as an anchor for a dental prosthetic. A single dental implant can replace one tooth with an artificial crown. Two dental implants can support a dental bridge to replace a few teeth in a row. 4-6 dental implants can securely anchor a full arch denture to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch. 

The Placement Procedure 

The procedure to place dental implants may vary based on a few factors, but the following steps are the typical process: 

• Consultation. The first step in the process is always a consultation to discuss the procedure and determine if this is the best tooth replacement option for you. 

• Evaluation. Next an evaluation is performed, which may take place at the same appointment as your consultation. This is to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. 

• Preparation. If you need any preparation before getting dental implants, such as tooth extraction or bone grafting, these procedures will take place (a few weeks to a few months) before the placement of the dental implant(s). 

• Placement of the implant(s). The dental implant(s) are surgically placed in the jaw. This may be done with local anesthesia and possibly some level of sedation if requested. 

• Addition of the abutment. A few weeks after the placement of the dental implant(s) the abutment can be added. This is the post that is used to connect the prosthetic to the implant. 

• Attachment of the dental prosthetic. The dental prosthetic can be added once the implant has had time to fuse with the bone (3-6 months). 

The Treatment Timeline

The process of getting dental implants can take some time, but once osseointegration has taken place, meaning the implant has fused with the bone, the bond can last for the rest of your life. It may take anywhere from a few months to a year to replace one or more teeth, but the restoration looks and functions like your natural teeth. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants 

Are dental implants worth it?

Dental implants provide a lifelong, naturally functioning replacement for missing teeth. They also provide a natural looking smile, as they are anchored securely in the jaw with high quality porcelain prosthetics. Most people find them to be a cost-effective option over time, as they rarely need to be replaced. 

What can make you ineligible for dental implants?

It's not so much that you can be ineligible for dental implants, you may just need some preparation. The most common problem is that the jaw bone has weakened and resorbed in the absence of a tooth, meaning there is insufficient bone structure to support an implant. Bone grafting can help to regenerate lost bone tissue to prepare for dental implants.   

Schedule a Consultation

Do you want the highest quality tooth restoration? Schedule a consultation with Dental Implants and Periodontology of Massapequa. After a brief evaluation we can determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants and get the process started.   Call

516-799-2222

or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.