What happens during a Dental Implants operation?
How are implants applied to your teeth?
Anyone who is missing one or more of their teeth due to injury, disease, or decay, may be a candidate for dental implants. If one or a few teeth are missing, dental implants, along with a crown or bridge, can replace those teeth without losing more bone.
Enough bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant(s) along with healthy gum tissues. Your dentist will be able to discover if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants after a careful examination of your dental and medical history.
Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort. A local anaesthetic, and sometimes patient sedation, are used to reduce any discomfort during the procedure.
Actual procedures vary between dental practices, but usually, implants are placed directly into your jawbone either with the metal caps left exposed above the gum line, or buried into the gums.
Tissues are then left to heal around the implant. If the metal cap has been buried in the gum, it is then exposed again so that a post can be attached. The replacement teeth are then placed on top of these posts. If the caps are left exposed, replacement teeth can just be attached directly.
The complete implant reconstruction process may take from 2 to 9 months and in some cases longer. Time is needed for your jawbone to grow around the implant and for your replacement teeth to be made.