Dental Implant
Dental implants are a restorative procedure where a titanium implant is embedded in the jawbone, which restores the root of a tooth. Dental implants stimulate and maintain the health of a tooth's supporting bone structure. Without a root present in the alveolar bone structure, the bone begins to deteriorate. Dental implants are ideal if you are missing one or more teeth, or have severely decayed teeth. Dental implants can restore the function and appearance of your smile. Implants are used to anchor dental bridges to the jaw. Consult one of our team members at Division Smiles Family Dental to see if you are a good candidate for implants. Dental Implant Surgery ConsiderationsYou might be considering how many dental implants will improve your smile and quality of life, but still be deterred by the cost. If you are worried about cost, seek consultation from an insurance provider that specializes in the restorative procedure that you need. You need to qualify for dental implant surgery to receive a dental implant. Not everyone qualifies for dental implant surgery. Children may not be eligible for implants until their jawbone has fully developed. Having a chronic disease such as diabetes or leukemia may make you ineligible for surgery because of how the condition may interfere with the healing process. Chronic smoking can slow your body's healing ability, lowering your chance of the dental implant being successful. Dental implant surgery requires two to three appointments. Surgery and healing can take six to nine months. You start with a dental exam and consultation from your dentist to assess if you qualify for surgery. They will examine your mouth's soft and hard tissues, take x-rays to assess your jawbone health, and inquire about your past medical history. If your dentist can affirm that you are in good health and qualify for the surgery, they will discuss a plan with you for the implant surgery. Dental implant surgery is performed by a team of oral surgeons or specialists in restorative dentistry. Having a dental implant and crown installed on the same day is possible, but in most cases, the surgery will take two appointments that are several months apart. Dental Implant SurgeryIn the first phase of surgery, your mouth has to be heavily numbed with either a local anesthetic or IV sedation. An incision is made in your gum to expose the implant area. A small hole is drilled into the jawbone. The implant is installed, and the gum is then sealed around the implant. Implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that is shaped to fuse with your jawbone. After your surgery, you will recover at home for a few months. During this healing process, the jawbone will grow into the titanium, securing it in place, a process called osseointegration. The time for this process varies from person to person, and it can take up to several months. Once you have fully healed from the surgery you will return to the office for the second phase. In the second phase, anchor points called abutments are attached to the implant; they hold the new crown in place. To make the crown, an impression is made from your teeth to fabricate the crown. This impression is sent to a dental lab to fabricate your crown. This is usually done before you receive your abutments. Once your abutment is installed, the crown is placed over the abutment, completing the procedure. If you are considering dental implants, schedule an appointment at Division Smiles Family Dental. You can consult our team to see if implants are right for you. Reach out to us at (971) 978-0293 to schedule an appointment, or for more information. |
Division Smiles Family DentalDr. David Kim Dr. Michael Kim Dr. Jed Volvovic |
