The dental implant procedure is a complex one. There are numerous steps that have to take place to ensure your dental implants remain in place and are capable of thriving. At Lovett Dental Katy, our team will provide you with the one on one support and guidance you need to get the results you desire. Reach out to us to learn more about the specifics. Here is an overview.
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
The dental implant procedure is not a single visit type of experience. It is an outpatient surgery. During this process, your dentists will keep you informed of what to expect. The process will involve:
- Removing any damaged tooth as needed
- Preparing the jawbone, often done through grafting if necessary
- Placing the dental implant into its position
- Waiting for bone growth to occur and healing to happen
- Placing the abutment
- Placing the crown or other type of artificial tooth in place
Most of these steps occur over a period of time. The length of time depends on the condition of your bone and the overall healing process.
When Is Grafting Done?
Our specialty dentistry services often include bone grafting. Not everyone needs this to be done. It is necessary when the jawbone where the dental implants will be placed is not strong enough or is too thin. This can happen over time, especially if you have periodontal disease. For this reason, we can encourage bone growth by placing materials in the area. This may include natural bone grafts that come from other areas of the body or a synthetic bone graft, which comes from a bone substitute material. There are several options your dental team can use in this case.
How Is the Abutment Placed?
Once the implant is in place in the bone, the bone will fuse with it. Over a short period of time, this helps to create a very strong and healthy area. This is when the abutment can be placed. This is the small attachment that will connect the implant itself to the crown or other artificial teeth. This is another procedure that requires opening up the gum, accessing the dental implants, attaching the abutment, and then closing the gum tissue around the abutment.
What Do You Need to Do First?
If you are thinking about getting dental implants, the first and most important thing to do is to come in to see our team. We need to ensure your oral health is the best it can be. We also need to address any concerns related to bacteria, cavities, or other needs. Our team offers all of these services in house to make the entire process easy for you. We may recommend that you get help for the needs present.
- General dentistry exams
- Tooth extraction procedures
- Periodontal disease care if needed
- Crowns and fillings updated
- Root canal procedures
You will then work closely with our team to ensure we address your missing teeth needs. If you need to have a tooth extraction, there may be a bit more time in between this and the placement of dental implants to encourage healing. For those who have advanced gum disease, we may need to take care of that first to ensure your implant will thrive. With comprehensive specialty dentistry services, this can be done in our office.
Improve Your Smile at Lovett Dental Katy
Finding the right tools to improve your smile is our job at Lovett Dental Katy. If you are wondering about getting dental implants or if the dental implant procedure is an easy one, schedule a consultation with us. We can provide you with exactly what will happen and what you can expect. Call 832-437-6477 to learn more.
