The Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant process begins with an initial examination. During this visit, the dentist will gather information including X-rays to assess the health of your jawbone and evaluate the quality and quantity of the remaining bone. A CBCT x-ray, will help determine the best location for placement of implants. The dentist will discuss your medical history, evaluate your oral health, and develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs.
The placement of dental implants will happen in multiple stages.
- The first stage involves surgically placing the titanium implant post into the jawbone. This procedure is done under local anesthesia.
- After the implant is placed, you need a healing period of several months so that the bone can fuse with the implant through a process called “osseointegration.” This integration can assure the stability and longevity of the implant.
- Once the implant has successfully integrated with the jawbone, your dentist will do a minor surgery to attach an abutment or healing collar, which serves as a connector between the implant post and the replacement tooth.
- After the gums heal around the abutment, a custom-made dental crown or bridge is attached to complete the restoration. The crown(s) will match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result. Sometimes implant crowns may be a bit smaller than their natural tooth counterparts to decrease forces on the implants.
Dental implants can offer a durable, flawless solution for replacing missing teeth, significantly improving your oral health and quality of life. Also, thanks to advances in dental technology, you may be a candidate for one-day implants.  Mini-implants can also be used when there is not sufficient bone to help stabilize dentures and partials but are not used for replacement of teeth in our practice. Be sure to ask your dentist if either of those options are available for you. While dental implants are a wonderful solution, they are not without some complications and failures. Please ask Dr. Winter about what you can do to prevent peri-implantitis and help your implants last as long as possible.
Book Your Dental Implant Appointment in Milwaukee, WI
Understanding the implant process, from the initial consultation to the final restoration, can help you feel more confident and enthusiastic about your decision to replace missing teeth. If you’re considering dental implants, call Hampton Dental Associates at 414-464-9021 and schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists today. We look forward to seeing you smile.
