We’ve discussed before how dental implants can restore your ability to eat and enjoy a whole smile. We’ve also discussed how we create and place the restorations. But how are dental implants placed? What steps are necessary to insert them and to ensure they bond with the jawbone?
Try Our Implant Placement Quiz
- True or False: We will need to examine your smile first.
- True or False: You will need three to six months of healing time.
- True or False: We can place a lifelike restoration.
- True or False: Dental implants can last a lifetime.
Answer Key
- True. First, we will use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to gain a detailed view of your smile. From there, we can decide if this is the best choice for you. We will make sure there is enough healthy jawbone tissue to support the new teeth and make sure your smile is free of periodontitis, which can threaten the new tooth.
- True. An oral surgeon will place the implant post, made from biocompatible titanium, into the jawbone. Afterward, we will need to wait three to six months for the area to heal. During this time, the jawbone and the post will bond through a process known as osseointegration.
- True. After the area heals you will return to the office. We will then add an abutment to the post that holds the custom-made restoration in place. The restoration will be a ceramic crown, which we can design and create in one visit using CEREC technology.
- True. With proper care and maintenance, you new tooth can potentially last a lifetime. You simply need to care for it as you would a natural tooth, including brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.
