Dental implants are high-quality restorations that replace one or more teeth at the root. They are essentially artificial tooth roots that hold replacement teeth in place and provide the most natural-looking results. Our implant dentistry provides complete dental implant services for patients with lost teeth. Continue reading to understand what happens during the dental implant procedure in our San Antonio, TX, dental office.
Dental Implant Procedure in San Antonio, TX
The procedure will be different for each patient, and will depend on how many teeth our dentist is replacing. The state of your gums, overall health, and jawbone strength will also determine the steps we take.
To be a candidate for dental implants, you will typically need to meet the following criteria:
- You should be in good physical health. Uncontrolled health conditions could impact your ability to heal properly after the implant surgery.
- You must have healthy gums. Healthy gums and sufficient jaw bone structure will provide the best support for the implant.
- Commit to practicing good oral hygiene habits and maintaining proper dental care after the implant procedure.
- We recommend that you are a non-smoker or willing to quit before undergoing implant surgery. Smoking can slow down healing and make complications more likely.
- You must have adequate bone density. Sufficient bone density is necessary to support the implant. If you have insufficient bone density, you may need a bone graft treatment before the oral surgery.
The General Dental Implant Process
To begin the process, you will visit us for a dental exam with one of our dentists. The exam will include a review of your dental history, a check for gum disease, and other diagnostics. Then we will create a treatment plan for you to approve. The plan will outline your specific case, treatment time, and the cost.
Once you approve the plan, we can begin. Your next visit will be the preparation phase. During this phase, we will prepare your mouth and jaw for oral surgery. We may remove damaged teeth or address gum infections.
Up next is the implant surgery phase. Our oral surgeon will access the jaw bone beneath the gums to place the titanium implant post. If we are replacing many teeth or a whole arch of teeth, we will place more than one implant post. We will let your jaw heal for a couple of months so it firmly fuses with the implant.
The healing period varies with the number of implants and bone density. For example, it takes longer for the upper jaw to heal. Waiting a few months to let your jaw and mouth heal creates a sturdy anchor for the prosthesis. Letting osseointegration naturally occur is important for the long-term success of the procedure.
Lastly, once your jaw is ready, our dentist will attach the final restoration to the implant abutment. Once the bone heals, the dentist reopens the gum to place the abutment over the implant. Then, they let the gum heal before permanently securing the dental prosthetic.
You will get a crown if you are replacing one single tooth. You will get a bridge or implant denture if you are replacing many teeth or all your teeth. We will make sure you are happy with the results before you leave with your new set of teeth. You will visit us for regular visits to track the progress and to ensure there are no infections or issues.
Call Advanced Dental Associates for a dental implant consultation at 210-361-6847 or request a dental appointment with us online. We are your dental implant specialists in the greater San Antonio area.