Dental implant procedures can't be completed within the realm of a single appointment. These procedures take place over months and consist of a number of different aspects.
Below, we're going to get into the dental implant timeline, showing you exactly what you can expect to encounter. Let's go!
Consultation With Your Dentist
The process starts off with a standard dental appointment. Your dentist will assess the state of your oral health, take x-rays, and make dental impressions of your teeth.
You and your dentist will also discuss the specifics of your impending procedure, covering everything from its timeline, to whether or not you'll require bone grafts, and more. Then, after the consultation has ended, you will schedule the date for your next appointment.
Tooth Extraction
If you're replacing a tooth which still exists in your mouth, you will need to have that tooth extracted. This will require a full appointment, but will generally only take 1 to 2 hours to be completed.
Bone Grafts
Often times, those who require dental implants are suffering from tooth and gum decay. Those who are suffering from extreme cases of decay will also often experience bone loss in their jaws. If these individuals want to get tooth implants, they will need to have their jawbones restructured.
How does one restructure a jawbone? With the use of bone grafts.
Bone graft procedures are invasive and generally take several months to complete themselves. However, if you're suffering from extreme tooth and gum decay, they are well worth the trouble.
The Implant
Once you've completed any necessary extractions or bone grafts, you can schedule your actual implant procedure. This procedure is short, but extensive, and will require that you are put to sleep with anesthesia.
During the procedure, a metal screw is essentially drilled down into your jawbone. This can be painful and can sometimes take 5 to 7 months to heal properly.
The Healing Cap
Once your implant has healed, you will go back to your dentist for another part of your procedure. During this portion, something by the name of a healing cap is placed over your implant. A temporary entity, it is used to help gum tissue heal in the proper manner.
Generally, the healing cap is worn for a week to two weeks. After this time has elapsed, you will go back to your dentist, and he will remove the cap.
The Abutment
When you come back to your dentist to get your healing cap removed, you will be fitted with an abutment. This is the portion of the implant which connects to the metal screw and holds the crown.
One the abutment is planted, it is covered with a temporary crown. This crown will remain in place for a few weeks, allowing the affected gum tissue to grow back into place properly.
The Crown
At last, you will come back for your final appointment. During this appointment, you will have a permanent crown placed over your abutment. This will complete your procedure, and allow you to go on living with your new tooth.
Though your dental implant has finally been inserted, you're not necessarily off the hook yet. Not only will you need to physically recover from the procedure, but you'll also need to have follow-up appointments with your dentist.
Recovering
The aftermath of having your permanent crown put in is not terribly painful. However, you are still going to want to take great care in the months following the procedure.
If you experience any pain or swelling, it's wise to apply ice packs to your jaw and take ibuprofen. The ice packs will help quell inflammation while the ibuprofen will help numb the pain.
You're also going to want to stay away from alcohol during the entirety of your procedure. Alcohol restricts the flow of blood in the body and can make it very difficult for the gums to heal themselves. Generally, it shouldn't be consumed until at least a week after the procedure has ended.
Monitoring
After your procedure has ended, your dentist may want to monitor the state of your implant. Not only will your dentist visually inspect your tooth at face value, but with x-rays as well.
This is done to ensure that everything is going as planned and to catch any small problems before they become big problems. If your dentist notices any legitimate problems, further measures may be taken.
Cost of Dental Implants
If there's one thing we can say about tooth implants, it's that they're not cheap.
In fact, they're some of the most expensive dental procedures out there. Generally, for the entire procedure, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000 per implant.
However, if you have dental insurance, your implants may very well be covered, either fully or partially. The only way to know for sure is to call up your dental insurance company and ask about your coverage.
In any case, it's important to remember the impact this procedure can have. Not only can it improve you aesthetically, but psychologically as well. And, as long as you care for it properly, your implant will last for the rest of your life.
