The process to have dental implants placed and restored involves surgery and many appointments to complete. The process involves several steps, which can take several months to up to a year to complete. However, replacing your missing teeth with an implant-supported dental prosthesis is the best solution for your health and quality of life. Dr. Jessica Christy is a Hendersonville, NC, restorative dentist that provides several dental implant options for her patients.
The Dental Implant Process in Hendersonville, NC
Treatment Planning
Every patient interested in replacing their teeth with dental implants must undergo an exam to determine if they qualify. Dr. Christy will gather all your medical history and examine your mouth. If you are an implant candidate, we will create an in-depth treatment plan for you based on your unique needs. This plan will include any pre-treatments, the number of implants you need, where they go, and the type of dental prosthesis you need.
Dental Implant Placement
The placement of the dental implants is the first step in the dental implant process. A local oral surgeon will insert each implant post in to the jawbone. They will make a tiny incision at each spot along the arch to uncover the bone. Next, they will drill a hole into the bone and insert the implant. Finally, they will close up the gums.
This procedure can take anywhere from one hour to several hours depending on how many implant posts the dentist is placing. A temporary dental restoration will be used if necessary for aesthetic purposes so you will never have to go without teeth.
Bone Growth and Healing
The next step involves allowing the bone to grow around the implant posts and for the soft tissues to heal. Titanium implants are well accepted by the human body. This is because titanium is a biocompatible material meaning it is not toxic to the human body. The jawbone will actually grow around the implants, holding them securely in place. Osseointegration typically takes about three to six months to complete.
Abutment Placement
Once the bone has fully grown around the implants, the next step is to attach the abutments. Your dentist will uncover the implants during a minor in-office procedure and then attach the abutments to them. This piece essentially connects the dental implants to the dental prosthesis.
Dental Prosthesis Placement
The last step is to place your new teeth. Dr. Christy will secure your dental prosthesis to the implant fixtures at our Hendersonville, NC, dentist office. Your dental crown, dental bridge, or denture will be custom-made in a dental lab from the exact measurements of your mouth. Once in place, your new smile will look completely natural.
Learn More About Our Dental Implants
The dental implant process is invasive and requires a lot of time in patience. However, in the end you will be left with the most natural solution to tooth loss. To learn more about them, book a consultation today by calling (828) 247-7001 or requesting a consultation with one of our dentists on our website.