Dr. Rebol and Dr. Sparks are expert restorative dentists who offer several methods to replace teeth. Every option will deliver new teeth. However, dental implants are the superior choice, even though the process will take several months, if not longer, to complete. There are many steps involved. Below, we will review each step in the process.
Step-by-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process will be different for everyone. It will take at least several months to complete. However, some patients’ treatment can last up to a year. You must make several trips to our Asheville, NC dentist office.
Treatment Plan
The first step will always be the planning phase. Your dentist will examine your entire mouth and review your medical history. They will also take x-rays and any other diagnostics as needed. After this, your dentist will know how to treat and meet your needs. They will create a treatment plan that includes everything you need to restore your teeth.
Tooth Extractions
If your teeth do not fall out naturally, your dentist may need to extract them. Your teeth will suffer severe damage if you neglect them for many years. This may leave them damaged beyond repair. To prepare your mouth for dental implants, we must extract all the teeth we will replace.
Bone Grafting
If you do not replace your teeth fast enough or choose to wear a bridge or denture after tooth loss, you may suffer from bone loss. Once the decision to get dental implants is made, the bone may be too soft or not thick enough to support the implants. In this case, we may suggest a bone graft. This procedure will build back up the bone in the jaw where it is lacking. Then, the dental implants will have enough bone to support them and thrive.
Placement of Implant Fixtures
The placement of the dental implant fixtures requires surgery. Your dentist will cut open your gums to access the location in the bone where the implants will go. They will then drill a small hole into the bone and place the implants there. Once in place, your dentist will close up the gums and fit you for a temporary restoration if you need one.
Healing and Bone/Implant Fusing
Once the implants are in place, they will be left alone to heal and fuse with the jaw bone. After several months, the jaw bone will grow around the implants to create a sturdy dental restoration base. They will also act as missing teeth roots to help stimulate the jaw bone and prevent bone loss.
Placement of the Abutment
The next step is to place an abutment on each implant. This small part comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the type of dental restoration you are getting. To place it, your dentist has to uncover the dental implants during another minor procedure. The site will need another few weeks of healing
Attaching the Final Dental Restoration
The final step is to secure your new, custom dental restoration. During your last appointment at our Asheville, NC dentist office, your dentist will secure your crown, dental bridge, or denture. Your new teeth will function, look, and feel like natural teeth.