Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular these days and are preferred to dentures by many people. These are long-lasting, feel like natural teeth as well as look very good. Modern technology enables 3D X-rays which increase the efficiency and the accuracy of the dental implantation.
A dental implant consists of two parts – the invisible root part, the titanium screw, and the visible crown part – the one that actually makes your teeth look beautiful. Standard implants measure 4 – 6 mm wide, 5 – 15 mm long and 1.35 mm thick.
The most common practice is to get a treatment plan that is favourable for the patient. This plan attends to the basic needs of the individual and is organized by a group of experienced doctors who are highly trained in this field. This method ensures that the individual receives the implant that is best suited for him/her.
The procedure
So how is the dental implant actually implanted? Well, it is done through a minor surgical procedure that requires a special kit for the implant to be inserted into the bone.
A dental implant is a little post that is made of titanium and this is placed where the replacement is required. Gradually, the jawbone grows around this titanium post so that it is fixed in the bone. This process may take two to three months for complete itegration.
After that, a certain amount of time is required for the implant to osseointegrate or bond. This time is often measured in months, usually two to four months. And after that, the dental crown, either temporary or permanent, is placed on the top of the implant.
So, basically, the first step of the procedure is meticulous planning. In this stage a CBCT can be recorded to access the bone structure.
After this, an abutment is fixed to the post so that the new tooth can be held tightly. This new tooth is made by the patient’s dentist based on the patient’s teeth. The patient is made to bite into an impression and the bite is used to create a replica of the patient’s tooth.
The colour of the replacement tooth is also made to match that of the patient’s teeth. Thus, new tooth is custom-made and is called a crown. The crown is fixed to the abutment and is held in place.
Patients also have the option to get attachments fixed on the dental implant which maintains a detachable denture or to get individual crowns placed. The dental implant is anchored in the jawbone and hence functions and looks like your natural teeth.
Local anaesthesia is given to the patient during the process, it is not very painful and is said to be less discomforting than a tooth removal. Medication can be used to relieve the pain that may remain in the area where the implant is placed. Thus, receiving dental implants is a low-risk and common procedure that has multiple benefits.
