The restorative options dentists can provide in today’s world are truly remarkable, and dental implants are perhaps the most impressive. An implant is a surgical procedure that’s the best way for many people to replace missing teeth. Here’s a closer look at what’s involved. 

What You Should Know About the Dental Implant Process

What are dental implants?

This surgical procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth with crowns. Metal screw-like posts are placed into the jawbone below the gumline to act as support for a crown. The post serves as a root because it bonds with natural bone to become a sturdy base for the crown, which functions just like a natural tooth. 

When are implants necessary?

If lost teeth aren’t replaced, the adjacent teeth may shift out of position over time. The jawbone may also begin to recede where there’s no tooth rooted in it. If there are multiple missing teeth, this may cause the face to change shape. Dental implants prevent this bone loss and protect the positioning of your other teeth as well as completing your smile.

What types of implants are available?

If you need a dental implant, your dentist will perform one of two procedures. The most common is an endosteal implant, which involves surgeries to place the implant straight into the jaw, where it fuses with the bone.

The second is the subperiosteal implant, which is less common due to the prevalence of bone grafts to stimulate jawbone growth. It’s usually recommended for patients who lack adequate healthy bone density and can’t or won’t undergo bone augmentation to rebuild what was lost. With this type, the implants are fixed under the gum but above the jawbone using a metal frame.

What happens during the procedure?

An implant procedure takes several dentist appointments to complete. After the initial consultation and thorough examination of your mouth and teeth, the dentist will schedule another appointment to insert the dental implant into your jawbone. For most patients, this part of the process requires a local anesthetic or IV sedation for comfort.

The next appointment will take place a few months later to allow the implant and the jawbone to fuse together into a solid foundation for the crown. Once the bonding has occurred, an abutment or connector is attached to the implant above the gumline. Finally, after the gums have healed, which is typically around two weeks, another appointment will be made to attach the new tooth to the abutment.

If you need dental implants, put your trust in the team at High Point Smile Dentistry. Serving clients throughout the greater Triad area, including Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC, these dentists specialize in a variety of services to enhance your smile and oral health, including teeth cleanings, whitening, root canal therapy, and veneers. Schedule your appointment today by calling (336) 884-4000. Visit them online to view their full list of services.