Dental implants are an outstanding tooth replacement option for people who have lost a single or multiple teeth. They look, feel and function like natural teeth.
The first step is a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant procedure. This will include X-rays and possibly a CT scan of your jawbone.
Preparation
Before the implant surgery, your dentist will have panoramic X-rays of the area and examine the gums, nerves, and bone. This will help them determine if there is enough healthy bone to support the implant. If not, a bone graft may be needed to build up the area.2
Your oral surgeon will also assess whether the implant is a good option for you. For example, children cannot get dental implants until their jaw growth is complete and people with certain chronic diseases like diabetes or leukemia may not be able to have the procedure.3
On the day of your surgery, you should eat a light meal and make sure you have a friend or relative to drive you home afterward. Then your doctor will inject you with local anesthesia or another sedative to keep you comfortable.
The surgeon will open the gum and create small flaps to expose the bone and create space for a metal screw, or titanium post, to fuse into place. This is called abutment placement. You will probably have some pain, swelling, and bruising after the procedure. You can take over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication to control the discomfort. But if your symptoms are severe, contact your doctor. They will give you advice on how to manage them. It’s important to follow their instructions closely because it will help you heal faster.
Surgery
When you’re ready for dental implant surgery, a dentist in NW Calgary will take x-rays and a full medical history to determine whether you’re a good candidate. You’ll be given anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure. If you’re having IV sedation, make sure to stop eating the night before.
Next, the tooth root implant, which is a small metal post, is put into the socket where your missing tooth used to be. The jawbone then heals around it, creating a natural anchor point. If the bone is too soft, your dentist may recommend a bone graft.
A gap may appear in your smile during this time, but the gap will close after a few months. For the meantime, a metal cap called a healing abutment is placed on top of the implant to keep it covered and protected from bacterial plaque.
During this recovery period, you should avoid smoking or blowing your nose too much or drinking through a straw. This can create a dry socket and cause pain. You should also stock up on soft foods to help you through this 10 to 14-day period of healing. Your dentist in NW Calgary will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. It’s a good idea to research alternative financing options as well, since dental implants without insurance can seem expensive.
Healing
During the next phase of treatment, your dentist prepares the implant site. This may involve bone grafts to give the post enough room and strong anchor to your jawbone. The dentist also extracts any remaining natural tooth (or teeth) and cleans the area.
You’ll need to rest after your surgery. You should avoid strenuous activities or heavy exertion, which can dislodge the blood clots that form around the surgical site. You should also avoid putting too much pressure on the implant site while you sleep (for example, sleeping on your stomach). Instead, prop your head up with extra pillows.
Pain and swelling should stop within a few days, but the implant site will continue to heal for several weeks. Your dentist will recommend a soft-food diet during this time and instruct you to brush surrounding teeth but not the implant site directly. Your dentist will also prescribe mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine, to keep the area clean and free from infection.
It’s important to follow the instructions for proper care of dental implants because they require the same level of care as your natural teeth. This means regular professional cleanings, routine dental checkups, and careful oral hygiene at home.
Restoration
Before scheduling the surgery, your dentist will make sure you have healthy gums and enough bone to support an implant. They’ll take dental x-rays and possibly a CT scan of the mouth, which will help them determine precisely where the implants should go.
During the actual procedure, the surgeon makes a cut in the gum to expose the bone and drill holes where the metal posts will go. They’ll then screw the post into place. The implant system itself is typically made of titanium, which is both lightweight and strong and well-accepted by the body. However, there are other materials as well, such as zirconium oxide and gold alloys.
When the dental implants have fully fused to your jaw, you’ll come back for a second minor surgery to place a connector piece, called an abutment. This connects the implant to the restoration, which could be a single crown or multiple crowns or a full arch of dentures.
During this time, it’s important to stock up on soft foods and prepare for some mild discomfort and swelling. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. To reduce inflammation, you can also try applying ice packs to the area. Also, it’s a good idea to bring a list of all medications and supplements you currently take, so your dentist can decide in coordination with your primary care doctor whether you need to stop taking any of them before the surgery.