What To Expect With Your Dental Implant Procedure Appointments

Dental implants require several steps—spread out over weeks or months—because your mouth has to heal between the steps. That means you'll need more than one dental implant procedure appointment. Since the first appointment will probably be an evaluation, it's a good idea to make it as soon as possible so you can get started on your implants. Here's an overview of what might happen during each of your appointments. 

The Initial Evaluation

Your dentist has to determine if implants are right for you, so they'll probably give you an oral exam and take X-rays. They'll also want to know about your medical history and your goals for dental work. This appointment is when you'll learn all that's needed and whether you'll have a bone graft or not. The dentist will also discuss the type of anesthesia you prefer.

The Bone Graft Appointments

You may not even need a bone graft since dentists can often work around bone loss by finding an area in your jaw that has enough bone to use. Sometimes, especially when you're getting a single implant, that might not be possible and you'll need a bone graft.

The graft has to heal, so it could be months until you're ready for the next step. It all depends on how quickly your body heals. Your dentist will probably have you come to the office for check-ups so they can see how your healing is progressing and determine when it's time to schedule the implant procedure.

The Implant Procedure Appointment

If you need to have one or more teeth extracted, this can often be done during the same appointment you get your implant or implants. Getting an implant involves inserting a small titanium rod into your tooth socket and bone. The implant rod acts as a tooth root to hold your new tooth in place. After this step, it's necessary to let the implant heal before you get a permanent crown.

If you don't get a temporary crown right away, the dentist may stitch your gum over the implant while it's healing. In some cases, a temporary crown can be put on right away to close the gap in your teeth. After this, you'll need a few appointments to check the progress of your bone fusing to the implant so the dentist can tell when it's time to put on the permanent crown.

Put On A New Crown

One of your dental appointments during your healing phase will entail making a mold of your mouth so a new crown can be custom-made for you. When the lab completes the crown, you'll come back to the dentist to have it fitted on the implant. Dental crowns blend in with your other teeth, so your implant and crown should look completely natural.

The entire process of getting a dental implant takes a fairly long time, and even longer if you need a bone graft. However, the wait is worth it to restore a lost tooth. Once you have your new tooth, you'll still need to see your dentist regularly since implants are treated like natural teeth, in that you need to brush, floss, and see a dental hygienist for cleaning on a regular basis.

Contact a local dental office, such as Signature Dental, to learn more.