Dental Implants – Step By Step

A guide to the dental implant procedure in stages.

Patients who attend Alexandra Dental Care from Burton and Ashby may have seen various pieces of information around the practice about dental implants. Many of us will lose a tooth, or a few teeth, during our lifetime and it makes good sense to consider implants as an option for replacement.

We have discussed the many benefits of dental implants in previous blogs and in today’s we take a look at the process of implant placement at the various stages.

Consultation

We offer free non clinical consultations for anyone interested in having dental implants placed. There is no obligation to go ahead with the procedure but this provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the procedure in detail and answer any questions that patients may have. We will examine your mouth and take x-rays to determine if you are a suitable candidate for implant placement.

Bone grafts and sinus lifts

Whilst the majority of patients will not need these procedures; where the bone into which an implant would be placed is degraded, a prior bone graft or sinus lift may be necessary to provide a strong enough foundation into which to place the implant.

Scans

When you come to Alexandra Dental Care for your procedure, we will take digital scans of the area where the implant is needed. This will determine the exact positioning and also allow us to avoid any nerves whilst doing so.

The procedure

Following a local anaesthetic, we will access the gum and make a small hole in the jawbone where the titanium implant will be placed. Although this may sound painful, it is actually considered to be less painful than a tooth extraction! Any necessary stitches will be applied at this time and the implant placement is then complete.

Recovery

It usually takes between three to four months for the implant to bond securely with the bone. There may be a little soreness and bruising for the first week, but after that, little discomfort should be felt. We will offer full aftercare advice following the placement, but essentially, the implant will need to be cleaned appropriately and you should avoid eating hard foods at this stage.

Completion

Once we are satisfied that the implant has bonded correctly with the bone, the final touches can be made to complete your new replacement tooth. The first step is to attach an abutment. This supports a custom made dental crown which is finally attached to complete a strong and healthy replacement tooth.

Ongoing care

One of the advantages of dental implants is that they require no special care. They do need to be kept clean however, and this can be done by a good quality personal regimen including brushing and flossing. Additionally you will need to keep up regular six monthly dental and hygienist visits at our local practice near Burton.

If you have any missing teeth and live in the Burton or Ashby area, we will be pleased to see you for an initial consultation to discuss the possibility of having a dental implant. Please call our reception team on 01283 216347 and they will arrange a convenient appointment for you.

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