The dental implant process, or journey, starts long before the actual surgery to place the implant. During your initial consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and jawbone to determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you are, he or she will show you 3D models of possible treatments, including options with dental implants and without them. You’ll also have to have X-rays taken of your mouth to determine if the implants will fit in the available space in your jawbone and match up with your existing teeth.
Initial Consultation
If you’re interested in getting dental implants houston, the first step is an initial consultation with a Houston implant dentist. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine if dental implants are right for you. If so, they’ll give you the cost of the procedure and answer any questions you may have about what it entails.
Some people worry that dental implants are too expensive, but they can be surprisingly affordable when compared to other treatments such as dentures or bridges. A general ballpark estimate is $3,000-$5,000 per implant; however this number can vary depending on factors like individual circumstances and type of prosthetic device used.
Dental Exam And Imaging
A dental exam and imaging are two of the most important steps in the dental implant process. The exam can tell you how many teeth need to be replaced, and what type of implants will work best. An x-ray is taken to look at the jaw and determine if it’s strong enough to hold an implant, or if more bone will need to be added.
A surgical procedure is usually necessary for adding bone, since there isn’t a way to do this noninvasively. Bone grafting involves taking healthy bone from your own body, or from a donor who has passed away (cadaver), and placing it into the areas where there’s not enough.
Surgery
Dental implants are surgically placed into the bone of the jaw. Implants are designed to mimic natural teeth and provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The dental implant process typically takes around three months. The time required for the dental implant procedure varies from one person to another depending on their oral health status and other factors. The dental team will explain all aspects of the procedure in detail before surgery begins. Most patients return to normal activities within two weeks after surgery. Patients should avoid any heavy lifting or contact sports during this time. However, they can resume driving or flying after only six days post-surgery if their doctor approves it. Patients can eat normally as soon as they are allowed to by their dentist. They may want to take liquid meals until their mouth is more comfortable.
Healing And Osseointegration
Dental implants are posts, usually made of titanium, that are surgically inserted into the jaw and act as anchors for artificial teeth. The process of dental implants starts with a consultation with the dentist or oral surgeon to assess candidacy, which is determined by factors like current oral health and medical history. If a patient is deemed an appropriate candidate, they will then undergo anesthesia and surgery. During surgery, the bone in the area where the implant will be placed will be shaved down to make way for the implant’s post. A hole is drilled into it so that two small screws can be screwed in to hold the implant in place. After surgery, patients must wait three months before getting fitted for their new teeth.
Abutment Placement
The first step is to make sure the area is healthy and strong. Next, the dentist will make an incision in your gums and expose the bone. This is where they will place an artificial titanium post called an abutment. The abutment acts as a placeholder for your new dental implant which will be inserted at a later time. The other end of the abutment has a threaded screw that’s inserted into the bone, providing stability for your new tooth or teeth.
To create space for your new implant, we’ll need to remove some of your jawbone. To do this, we remove tiny slivers of bone with a small tool called osteotome.
Final Restoration
For those looking for dental implants in Houston, you can find information on the implant process here. The first step is to have a consultation with Dr. Parikh. You will discuss your expectations and needs in detail with Dr. Parikh so that you can get an understanding of what implants are best for your specific case. Next, you will undergo an extraction procedure to remove any teeth from the jawbone area where the implant will be placed. This is followed by a CT scan and surgical plan being drawn up for Dr. Parikh’s approval before proceeding with surgery. Your surgery day will involve having an anesthesia administered to help keep you comfortable during the procedure, as well as a numb jaw afterwards for about two days post-surgery.
