People who have lost a tooth (or teeth) have more options to choose from than traditional dentures. Implants are one of the highest-succeeding treatments in medical history. Over 95% of all dental implant procedures performed by a family dentistry in Frisco will succeed.
The operation
The operation associated with a dental implant is normally carried out in several steps. The first is to incise the gum to expose the bone. A hole for receiving the implant is then drilled therein. The implant is then inserted into the jaw and rests under the gum.
The latter is then re-sewn or temporarily covered to protect the area from chewing forces. While osseous and gingival tissues heal, the implant fuses with the bone, also known as Osseo integration. Complete Osseo integration takes 4 to 6 months.
Once the Osseo integration is complete, an abutment must be installed. The abutment is a post projecting from the gums and connects the replacement tooth (or crown) to the implant. The gum above the implant is opened again to place the abutment. This is another ambulatory operation, which requires only local anesthesia. Once the abutment is installed, the gum is closed around it, but not above it.
Things to understand about the operation
In some cases, it is possible to place both the implant and the abutment during the same operation, with no long-term negative effects being reported, if everything has time to heal. In this case, it is important to note that the pillar will be visible, and must not withstand any pressure during the healing process. It takes about 2 weeks for the gum to heal before the procedure is completed.
As with any surgical procedure, there will certainly be inflammation, hematomas, mild pain or bleeding during the healing process. There are many ways to relieve pain and discomfort during this period. Speak with the family dentistry office in Frisco to learn more.
In parallel, the artificial tooth (also called a “crown”) is made from the patient’s dental impressions to best match their tooth morphology. It is then attached to the pillar. A removable prosthesis (or bridge) is sometimes considered if the patient is missing more than one tooth. For more information visit Lone Star Dental Care.
