A Patient's Guide to The Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are the ideal option for people who are missing one or several teeth. Many people are excellent candidates for dental implants, and the procedure is typically much easier than people expect. Here's what you need to know about the dental implant procedure.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The first step in getting dental implants is to see a dentist. They will ask questions about your lifestyle, examine your mouth and bite, take x-rays, and discuss the risks and benefits of dental implants and your dental health goals. If you both agree that dental implants are an ideal option to meet your goals and restore your smile, the dentist will then evaluate your mouth and bite further so that your implant(s) will have the best possible fit. 

Your dentist will determine the correct implant diameter, length, and type based on these factors in order to provide the greatest stability and esthetics. At Excellent Dentistry, we can utilize CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) to evaluate the patient’s bone and restorative space in 3D.

The dental implant procedure involves your dentist surgically placing the implant into your jawbone while under local anesthetic. It's common to feel some discomfort from the pressure. Afterwards, you should take pain medication to keep you comfortable until the discomfort goes away within a couple of days.

Let’s explore the dental implant procedure more in-depth: After administering local anesthetic to keep you comfortable, your dentist will make an incision to expose the jawbone. A small hole, or osteotomy, is then made and methodically enlarged to make space for the implant. Once the osteotomy is prepared, the titanium post, or dental implant, is slowly inserted into the jawbone. Once in place and stable, the implant should osseointegrate over a period of 3-6 months—a process that involves new bone growth around the implant so that the implant becomes part of the jaw. Think of it this way: the dental implant replaces the missing tooth's root.

Depending on the stability of the implant, the condition of the bone, and other factors, your dentist will place either a cover screw or healing abutment over the dental implant. When a cover screw is placed, the implant is fully covered under the gums during the osseointegration process. When a healing abutment is placed, it allows the gums to reform around the healing abutment in an esthetic way in preparation for the final crown or bridge.

In both cases, the implant is left to osseointegrate for several months. If a cover screw was placed, the implant is uncovered once osseointegration is fully completed, and the cover screw is replaced with a healing abutment to form the gums. Once the gums are reformed and esthetic, a final impression is taken so the lab can make the final restoration, which will ultimately screw into the implant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

How Long Will the Dental Implant Process Take?

The dental implant process can take anywhere from three months to over a year, depending on the patient's needs and the complexity of the case. For example, a single-tooth implant can take three to six months, while full-mouth implants might require as many as eight to 12 months. The process can also take longer if the patient needs more procedures or heals slowly.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

A dentist can evaluate your oral health, bone density, and gum tissue to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Here are some things that ideal dental implant candidates typically have in common:

• Healthy gums
• Good bone density
• Practice good oral hygiene
• Non-smoker
• Old enough that their jawbone has stopped growing

Interested in Dental Implants? Call Excellent Dentistry Today

If you are tired of feeling self-conscious about your teeth and are ready to do something about it, please call our Mundelein, IL office at 847-566-7850 or make an appointment online. We can set up an appointment to determine if you are a quality candidate for dental implants and ensure that you understand the procedure before moving forward.