Did you recently lose your teeth, or you are tired of dentures? Modern-day dentistry offers you a better solution: dental implants. They offer a host of benefits you wouldn't want to miss out on. Implants are durable, look and feel like real teeth, and require minimal maintenance once anchored to the jawbone. If you have already decided to get dental implants, you might want to know what your dentist has in store for you.

Examination and Tests

Your dental practitioner will begin by inspecting the condition of your jawbone to determine if it can hold the dental implant. The examination may include X-rays and visual inspection. Dentists recommend treatment first if they find issues such as periodontal infections on your gums to improve the chances of a successful dental implant procedure.

The dentist may also take imprints of your teeth to make a molded crown that epitomizes your tooth's color and shape.

Tooth Extraction and Bone Grafting

If you have a loose tooth that needs to replaced, your dentist might decide to attend to it in one session. The specialist will administer anesthesia to numb your gums and remove the target tooth.

Should your dentist find that your jawbone density is below standard, you may need to undergo a bone grafting process. The process entails taking a piece of bone from one area of your body and planting it in the area affected by bone loss.

Implant Placement

After the bone attached to the implant area heals, you will go back to the dentist's office for the implant procedure. The dentist typically opens the gums with the missing tooth and inserts the titanium cylinder.

The surgical site is then sewn and covered to promote healing until the implant fuses with the jawbone. You will be required to stop smoking and taking alcohol to allow fast healing.

Abutment and Crown Placement

Once the implant is well fused and stable enough, your dentist will seal the titanium cylinder with an abutment. You may need local anesthesia during this stage as the dentist tries to tighten the abutment in place.

After your gum heals and covers the abutment, your dentist will place a crown that resembles your real tooth on top of the abutment. It takes a few sessions for the dental implant procedure to be complete.

Dental implants require some level of commitment, but you will enjoy the convenience they offer in the end. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants have high success rates than most tooth replacement alternatives.