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The dental implant process requires that a metal screw be placed into your jaw to hold a replacement root, and this does involve a surgical procedure. The whole process, including your healing time, can take up to 12 months to be completed. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect.

The dental implant process actually involves a number of small procedures. Those procedures will depend very much on your personal circumstances and needs.

What Risks Are Involved In The Implant Process?

 

Even though dental implant surgery is considered safe, as with any kind of surgery, there are some potential risks you should be aware of. They include:

An infection at the area of the implant
Damage or trauma to the blood vessels or teeth around the implant area.

Problems with your sinuses
If the implants are placed in your upper jaw and they stick into one of your sinus cavities.

What Does The Process Entail?

 

The dental exam

This is done to give your dentist a very clear understanding of your needs. Your dentist will take x rays and a cast of your mouth. He will chat to you about your dental and medical history and evaluate your oral hygiene.

Drafting the treatment plan

Your treatment plan will be based on your individual circumstances and will take into account things like the number of teeth that need to be replaced, and the state of your jaw bone. Depending on the work that needs to be done, your dentist may call on other professionals such as a periodontist, and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

If you suffer from any chronic conditions or are taking medication, your dentist will probably consult with your doctor too.

Dental implant surgery

The first step is to remove the damaged tooth if it is still in your mouth. Afterwards, your dentist will prepare your jaw for the surgery. If you require a bone graft, it would be done at this point. Once your jaw has healed, your dentist will make an incision in your gum to get to the bone. He will drill into the jaw, to make a space for the implant to be placed. You will then need to wait again until healing has taken place. This could take three to six months to complete. Once you are fully healed your dentist will place the abutment onto the implant. Care must be taken to ensure the implant is stable before adding weight to it. Your dentist will craft the replacement tooth or crown. To do this he will take a cast of your mouth and jaw, to ensure the new tooth matches the other teeth in your mouth.

The whole implant process can take several months. The total timing will depend on the number, type and complexity of procedures that you require, as well as the duration of time it takes your body to heal itself.

 

What about bone grafting?

 

In the event that you do not have enough jaw bone for implant surgery, your dentist will perform a bone graft. It is really important that your jaw is strong and secure, because of the pressure and force that is exerted by your teeth when you bite and chew.

For a bone graft, bone is usually removed from another part of your body and then placed into your jaw. This is usually enough to stimulate new growth in the area. In many cases, a minor bone graft can be done just before your implant surgery.

While you may experience a bit of swelling and discomfort in the days after surgery most people recover relatively quickly and without complications.

To find out more about the dental implant process and how it can benefit you please contact us: (02) 9158 6753.