The dental implant procedure is made up of a number of stages, which will result in the patient having a natural looking tooth where they used to have a gap.
The first stage is a consultation, where the patient can discuss their requirements and any concerns that they may have with the person who will be carrying out the surgery.
This allows the patient to gather information about what would be suitable for them, the benefits they could gain from having a dental implant and the surgeon can get the details required to make an informed plan, which may include x-rays, models and tooth mock-ups.
Once a treatment plan has been discussed, and a quote has been agreed, the surgery can take place as long as the patient is completely happy with the dental implant procedure and knows what it entails.
The dental implant procedure allows the surgeon to mount replacement teeth in the mouth using a titanium post, which is positioned below the gum line, and acts like a tooth root. Once the post has been implanted, it is left to fuse with the bone before the next stage.
The following part of the dental implant procedure sees the addition of an abutment, usually made of titanium, which is attached to the implant via a screw. A temporary crown, which is softer than the permanent one so it aids the healing process, is sometimes provided while the permanent crown is made using a model of the patient’s teeth and gum tissue.
When the permanent crown has been created, it will be attached to the abutment, and will stay fixed in the mouth, unlike dentures. It will look, feel and function like a natural tooth.
Following the completion of the dental implant procedure, time is taken to discuss the important topic of implant care. The most effective methods of cleaning and maintenance of a healthy implant will be explained. A review appointment will be recommended to check the health of the implant and the effectiveness of the patients care regime.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the procedure in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
