Receiving one or more dental implants tends to be more of an involved process than alternative restorative treatments like dental bridges or partial dentures. This is because dental implants are placed in the patient’s jawbone, which provides stability and durability that other treatments cannot offer.
If you are overwhelmed by the dental implant treatment process—don’t fret! Our team at High Point Dentistry is here to make your experience as easy and streamlined as possible from start to finish. To learn more about our treatment options or schedule your next visit, please contact us!
Implant Consultation
The beginning of every dental implant journey begins with a consultation with our team. These appointments are important, as we need to determine if a patient is a good candidate for dental implants to reduce their risk of implant failure. During this visit, we will assess your teeth, gums, and the health of your jawbone to ensure there is enough healthy jawbone tissue to support an implant. If not, a bone graft procedure may be scheduled. We will also review your medical history, treatment plan, budget, and preferences to decide if dental implants will fit your unique smile and lifestyle.
Implant Placement
The next step in the dental implant process involves placing the implant in the jawbone. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your teeth and gums before a small incision is made so that the jawbone can be accessed. Next, a hole is carefully drilled into the bone and the titanium implant is placed. The gums are then replaced around the implant, and over the next few weeks, an important process called osseointegration will occur. This is when the implant fuses with the jawbone to create a stable base for an implant crown to attach to. Our team can also place a temporary implant crown to complete your smile while you are undergoing the healing process.
The Final Results
Your follow-up visit will involve our team checking to ensure that your implant and gums healed properly. We will also place your permanent implant crown, which will be customized to blend in flawlessly with your surrounding teeth. Once the implant process is complete, you are free to resume eating all of your favorite foods. Another benefit of dental implants is that they can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth. As always, if you have any questions or concerns for our team before, during, or after your dental implant process, feel free to contact us!
Below is a handy infographic of the dental implant process:
