A dental implant procedure is a permanent tooth restoration or replacement method. Unlike other types of tooth replacement like bridges, dental implants are designed to fuse with your jaw, keeping them in place. After a dental implant procedure, your implants will give the appearance of natural teeth and offer the same functionality.
At Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery, we perform dental implant procedures for our clients with missing or damaged teeth that need to be extracted.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Here are some benefits of dental implants:
| • | Durability |
| • | Natural look |
| • | Exceptional functionality |
| • | Restored bite |
| • | No loss of bone or teeth |
| • | No misaligned teeth |
| • | Confident smile |
Our Dental Implant Procedure
Here’s everything you need to know about the dental implant procedure:
The Initial Assessment
At Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery, our experienced oral surgeon will perform a comprehensive oral examination to determine if you are eligible for a dental implant. After all, not everyone can get a dental implant, as the implants need ample bone material to meld with the jawbone. We will need to assess whether you have enough bone density to support the implant or not. We recommend a bone grafting procedure before the implant if you don’t have sufficient bone material.
We will devise a way to safely extract the tooth if you need a tooth extraction before the implant procedure. The initial evaluation will also include taking impressions of your bite, x-rays, and matching the color of your teeth to ensure the dental implant looks as natural as possible. We will also assess your oral health and discuss your dental and medical history.
Bone Grafting
If you need an implant for a tooth that has been missing for quite some time, you might need a bone graft first. It will help counter the loss of bone in that area. We can place many bone grafting materials and will discuss your options before the procedure. After placing the graft, we will wait for it to heal before placing the implant.
Tooth Extraction
Alternatively, if you need a dental implant for a damaged tooth, we will have to perform a tooth extraction before placing the implant. Depending on how extensive the tooth extraction is and how long it will take to heal, we can place the dental implant on the same day. We will use local anesthesia to numb the area and remove the tooth. You might feel a little pressure and a tug as we perform the tooth extraction.
Placing the Implant
The next step of the dental implant procedure is to put the dental implant in place. It will take us about an hour for a single implant insertion. The implant we use in the process is made from titanium, which is decay-proof. It’s essentially a small, screw-like titanium post that will support your artificial tooth or crown.
We use a local anesthetic to numb the area before making a cut and accessing your jawbone. Then, we put the implant and screw into place. How we perform the procedure will depend on the type of implant you need, if you develop an allergic reaction, and your jawbone density. Ultimately, our job is to ensure the implant we place remains firmly seated in the jawbone so it can meld perfectly.
The Healing Period
Before placing the permanent crown, we must wait for the implant to fuse properly with your bone. For many patients, this healing period and the time it takes for your jawbone to meld with the implant can take between three to nine months. The implant needs to heal enough to remain in place when we place the abutment and crown on top.
Placing the Abutment
Once your dental implant has healed and is stable enough, we will schedule an appointment to place the abutment and crown. Amir Marashi, MD, DDS, FACS will carefully assess the implant and then put the abutment on top.
The abutment is the piece that will connect the dental implant to the crown. We will tighten the abutment to ensure it stays in place when you bite or chew food. You might feel slight pressure during the process, but since we use a local anesthetic, you will not experience any pain.
At times, we put the abutment in when placing the implant, and it remains visible in your mouth. If we follow this process, we will mask the abutment with a healing cap to keep the bone and tissue from fusing with it.
Placing the Permanent Crown
Once we have fixed the abutment, we will place the permanent crown, also known as the artificial tooth, on top. We will screw the crown on top of the abutment or use dental cement to glue it in place. At Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery, we take great care to ensure your crown matches the color of your teeth and fits perfectly into the gap left behind by your missing tooth.
Dental Implant Procedure Recovery
It’s perfectly natural to feel some level of discomfort post-surgery. You might notice slight bruising on your gums, and your face will be slightly swollen. However, we will guide you regarding post-surgery care so you can recover smoothly and enjoy your new artificial teeth. After the procedure, it’s best to eat soft and cold foods for a few days. We will also prescribe the needed antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medications to keep infection and pain at bay.
Dental Implant Care
Dental implants do not require additional care, unlike other teeth replacement options. Since these implants do not decay, they don’t require extreme care. However, if you’re not careful, the gums around the implants can develop an infection. You must maintain appropriate dental hygiene, brush twice daily, floss correctly, and visit us for regular checkups and annual cleanings.
If you are ready to get dental implants to replace your missing teeth, contact Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery at (980) 332-7990 to schedule an appointment today!
