Do you have loose or missing teeth that make regular oral functions, such as biting, chewing, and talking, difficult? If the answer is yes, perhaps it’s time to look into tooth extraction and dental implant procedures to get new teeth!
Dental implants are a safe way of restoring your confident smile, and they have a considerably better success rate and longevity than a dental bridge or denture.
However, since the dental implant procedure is extensive, you need a reliable dentist to work on your teeth.
At Jillian Prather Family Dentistry, we have Jillian Prather, DMD and our team, who have the expertise to perform seamless dental implant procedures.
They can examine your teeth and perform the procedure safely.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a relatively modern replacement for traditional dentures and dental bridges to replace missing teeth.They are artificial tooth roots we insert into the patient’s jawbone to act as the foundation for the prosthetic tooth. Dental implants are artificial teeth that appear, feel, and function like regular teeth.
A dental implant has three parts:
| • | The titanium screw-like implant |
| • | The abutment - the post that connects the screw to the crown
|
| • | The artificial tooth or dental crown |
What is a Dental Implant Procedure?
A dental implant procedure is a surgical technique in which an artificial tooth or crown replaces your natural tooth.During the process, we fix the titanium fixture - the implant that resembles the roots in your jaw, to offer strength to the replacement tooth. Then, we place the abutment and crown on top to give the appearance and function of natural teeth.
Who Are the Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are ideal for replacing missing teeth in people who lose them through injuries or periodontal disease.The ideal candidates for dental implants are people with the following:
| • | Good oral health |
| • | Gums and surrounding area free of periodontal disease |
| • | Adequate bone density in the jaw for successfully anchoring the implant |
| • | Healthy gum tissue |
What Are the Types of Dental Implants?
At Jillian Prather Family Dentistry, we offer two types of dental implants – endosteal and subperiosteal. Our dentist will examine your oral health and guide you toward the implants that suit your condition.Endosteal Implants
These titanium implants are surgically inserted and anchored into the jawbone and are more common than subperiosteal implants.They are screw-shaped and act as actual tooth roots to provide stability to the crown. The metal post fuses with the jawbone and preserves the natural facial structure.
Subperiosteal Implants
These implants have a similar appearance as endosteal implants, and they are ideal for patients with insufficient bone mass to anchor endosteal implants.We fix these implants under the gum tissue instead of anchoring them to the jawbone.
What Are the Two Types of Dental Implant Procedures?
There are two types of dental implant procedures – single-stage and two-stage.Single-Stage Dental Implant Procedure
As the name suggests, we perform this procedure through a single surgical appointment by putting a longer implant into the jaw so that part of the implant remains exposed.Once the jaw and surrounding area heal, we will place the abutment and crown on the exposed implant.
Two-Stage Dental Implant Procedure
The two-stage procedure takes longer as it requires two surgical processes with ample healing time between them.During the first step, Jillian Prather, DMD will surgically put the base of the implant into your jawbone and then stitch the opening to ensure appropriate healing.
Once the incision has healed, we will perform minor surgery to expose the implant base and attach the abutment and crown.
Even though this is a more complex and invasive process, it offers long-term benefits as the base of the implant fuses entirely with the jawbone to create a strong root for the artificial tooth.
What Happens in a Dental Implant Procedure?
Here are all the steps involved in a dental implant procedure:The Preparation
The dental implant procedure is long and starts with a thorough mouth examination.Our dentist will also study your medical history and take oral x-rays to create an implant treatment plan during your consultation.
We will examine the nerves, bones, and sinuses and rule out underlying issues, such as gum disease or tooth decay, which could impact the procedure results.
If you require a tooth extraction, we will perform the procedure and wait for about two months before starting the implant process.
We might also have to perform a sinus lift or dental bone graft for people with a damaged or weak jawbone.
Dental Implant Placement
Jillian Prather, DMD will give you a sedative and local anesthesia and then cut the gum to expose the bone. Then, we will drill a hole in the jaw and place the implant.Next, we will suture the gum tissue over the implant to prevent food from sticking to the gums.
We will send you home with care instructions so your implant can fuse with your bone. It might take about four to six months.
Installing the Abutment
Once your implant has fused entirely with the bone, we will install the abutment to connect the dental crown with the implant.We will make a minor cut on the implant to fix the abutment. Then, we will close the gum tissue around the abutment and place a temporary crown on top of the abutment for about two weeks.
Placing the Crown
Before placing the crown, we will shape the dental crown by taking fresh impressions of your tooth structure. It will help us create a replica tooth that will fit into the structure neatly.You can choose your crown to have the same color as your natural teeth. We will place the new crown on top of the abutment.
Recovering from a Dental Implant Procedure
It will take time for you to gain complete recovery after the procedure, as you might experience mild discomfort.That said, we will give you medication and guidance to soothe your swollen gums and alleviate any discomfort you might experience. You will feel better with each passing day and recover completely by following the post-op instructions.
Once your recovery is complete, you can resume normal function and use your dental implant as regular teeth. Clean the implants just like your natural teeth; brush and floss daily.
If you wish to benefit from a dental implant procedure from experienced dentists, call us at (918) 401-9933! At Jillian Prather Family Dentistry, you will get the finest treatment and our undivided attention for sustained oral health.
