If you need to have teeth replaced, dental implants offer a permanent solution for improving your smile. Consisting of a titanium rod with a crown attached, this procedure will make your smile more attractive, make chewing easier, and preserve your jawbone and facial structure. It’s an involved process, however, and requires a few steps. Here’s a closer look at what to expect when you get implants from a dental care provider.

Consultation & Exam

Your dentist will take a CT scan of your mouth to assess missing or damaged teeth and damage to your jawbone. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss the procedure, ask questions, and get an estimate on the cost. Additionally, you’ll meet with a prosthodontist who will customize your implants to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. 

Tooth Extraction & Bone Grafting

If you need to remove damaged teeth prior to your procedure, your dentist will schedule extractions. If your jawbone has receded over a span of years, it may be too weak to support implants, which means you’ll need grafting. This involves thickening the jawbone by using synthetic tissue or relocating natural tissue from elsewhere in the body to stimulate growth. It may take a few months for bone grafting to heal before your implants can be installed. 

Implant Surgery

Your dental care provider will put you under local or general anesthesia prior to performing implant surgery. They’ll cut an incision into your gums and use a drill to make a small hole in the jawbone that permits the insertion of a titanium rod, which the crown screws onto. The procedure generally takes two to three hours.

Healing & Recovery 

After implantation, osseointegration occurs, which is the fusion of the implant to the jawbone that keeps the rod permanently in place. In addition to taking pain medication as prescribed, eat foods that can be cut with a fork for six to nine months to avoid irritating or infecting the incision sites. See your dentist for regular checkups as directed. 

Improve the appearance and function of your teeth with dental implants from Lowitz & Meier. This dental care team offers cosmetic, general, and family dentistry to clients throughout Cincinnati, OH. Call (513) 521-8900 to schedule a consultation for implants or porcelain veneers and visit the website to learn more about how they can help you maintain the highest level of dental health.