Find Dental Implant Doctors
           
ZIP
  Radius
Find Your Doctor
Become a Dental Implant Solutions Doctor
Click Here
Dental implant questions and answers
Dental Implants
Traditional Dental Implants
  • Dental Implant
  • Dental Implant Costs
  • Dental Implant Dentures
  • Dental Implant Dentists
  • Implant Dental
Dental Implant Information

 

How are dental implants placed?


Dental implants offer patients the look and feel of natural teeth through a process that involves the stabilization of dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures by use of a titanium alloy implant. The placement of dental implants and artificial teeth involves surgical procedures, which are usually performed in several stages (but in some cases can be performed in a single day).

The initial procedure will begin with the administration of a local anesthetic, after which small incisions will be made in the gum line in order to expose the bone below. Specialized tools are then used to drill holes in the bone where the dental implants will be placed. Since the implant cylinder will act as the tooth root, it must be implanted deep into the bone. This is done using a specialized wrench. At this point, a temporary dental prosthetic can be placed for appearances, but the implant will need time to heal before the permanent prosthetic can be attached.

Once the implant is placed, a healing period will need to be observed in order for osseointegration to occur. Osseointegration is the process by which the natural bone of the jaw fuses with the titanium alloy implant, providing stable support for the dental prosthetic. During this process, the jawbone will grow around and unite with the surface of the implant. Typically this process takes anywhere from two to six months, but it can take longer. Osseointegration provides a solid base for your new dental prosthetic—just as roots do for your natural teeth.

Once your implant has properly healed, your dentist will place your new artificial tooth or teeth. Depending on the amount of implants placed, this could be a crown, a bridge, a full denture arch or a full set of dentures.

For the majority of patients, the entire implant process takes three to nine months — sometimes longer—to complete. This may seem daunting, but much of that time is devoted to healing and waiting for the growth of new bone in your jaw—a process that is paramount to increasing the lifespan of your implant.