Dental Implants – Procedure, Risks, and Expectations

The dental implant surgery procedure replaces tooth roots with metallic screw-like posts. The missing or damaged tooth is substituted with an artificial option that resembles and works like the real tooth.

Dental implant in Coppell, TX, is the best alternative where other dental prostheses like dentures don’t fit well or when a damaged tooth lacks a natural root as a basis for building bridges.

Dentists from Compassion Smiles dentistry perform implants depending on the condition of your jawbone and type of implant. The main function of dental implants is to offer sturdy support for your newly acquired crown.

For your new tooth to start functioning properly, the jawbone has to heal around the implanted root tightly. It can take several months.

Who Can Get a Dental Implant?

The Coppell Dentist surgically places the implant into your jawbone to act as a root for the missing tooth. Implants never slip or dislodge as the titanium root completely fuses with your jawbone with time and serves as a natural root.

A tooth implant is for you if:

• You have one or more missing teeth
• Your jawbone has achieved full growth
• You have enough bone that can support an implant or can have a bone graft
• You are healthy orally
• Don’t have health issues that could affect bone healing
• You are unable or not willing to wear dentures
• You want an improvement in speech
• Want a fast and safe option for tooth replacement
• You aren’t a tobacco user

Risks Involved

Just like any surgery at Coppell Cosmetic Dentistry, the dental implant procedure poses several health risks. However, the problems are rare and don’t occur often. When they occur, they are not lethal and are easily treated. The risks include:

• Infection at the surgery site
• Damage to the surrounding teeth and blood vessels
• Nerve damage leading to pain, numbness, or tingling of the natural teeth and soft tissues like cheeks and lips
• Sinus defects. They occur when the tooth implant in the upper jaw projects to the sinus cavities.

Preparation for The Procedure

Several specialists are involved in planning the process of dental implants. You need someone specializing in jaw, mouth, and facial conditions (oral and maxillofacial surgeon), a periodontist, a prosthodontist, and occasionally an ENT for throat, ear, and nasal specialist.

The examination should be thorough as implants might need one or more surgeries.

• Comprehensive Dental Exam – 3D images are taken using x-rays to have your teeth and jaw models taken.
• Your medical history – Your doctor will inquire about any medical conditions you have and the medications you take. The presence of heart conditions or any orthopedic implants might help your doctor prescribe pre-surgery antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Treatment plan – The dentist takes information such as how many teeth need to be replaced and any disorders present in the jawbone or the remaining teeth.

During tooth restoration, anesthesia options, including local anesthesia, general anesthesia, and sedations, are administered. The Coppell dentist will discuss the option that’s best for you. The dental care team also advises on eating and drinking before the surgery. This depends on what anesthesia will be administered.

What to Expect During the Procedure?

Dental Implant in Coppell, TX, is an outpatient treatment that involves multiple stages before you heal. There is usually a healing period between the stages. The process can take months. The stages are as follows:

• Damaged tooth removal
• Preparing the jawbone (grafting) if necessary
• Placement of the implant
• Bone development and healing
• Abutment placing
• Artificial tooth placement

Although the process takes months to completion, much of the time involves healing and waiting for the jawbone’s growth. Certain steps may be combined depending on your health condition, materials used, and procedure type.

When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

Your jawbone will be embedded with a separate piece of bone if it’s extra soft or isn’t thick enough. If grafting is not done, the powerful chewing action can dislodge the implant even after placing it.

Several materials can be used to rebuild your jawbone, including a natural bone graft from another body part or a synthetic graft. A synthetic bone graft can be a bone substitute that acts as a support structure to grow a new bone.

The transplanted bone takes several months to produce enough new bone that can support the implant.

After the Surgery

Certain discomforts may develop after the surgery, including:

• Swelling of the gums and face
• Bruises on the skin and gums
• Pain at the site of surgery
• Minor bleeding

Pain medications and antibiotics will help treat post-surgery discomforts and problems. Contact the oral surgeon if swelling and discomfort persist several days after the surgery.