Learn more about the step-by-step process of getting a dental implant.
Interested in getting dental implants from our Royal Palm Beach, FL, dentist Dr. Sunitha Sirivolu and Dr. Manoj Patel but curious to know more about the process first? We get it! Everyone should fully understand a dental procedure before they say “yes”. Here are the steps involved in getting dental implants from our team of smile experts,
Step 1: Consultation
First and foremost we need to make sure that dental implants are right for your smile. This means performing a comprehensive dental exam, which usually includes X-rays, and then we will sit down and discuss your medical history and lifestyle. Dental implants are not for everyone and we want to make sure you have good oral health and also have a healthy immune system since getting dental implants from our Royal Palm Beach, FL, dentists do require extensive recovery time and multiple dental procedures.
Step 2: Implant Placement
After you have been given the okay to get dental implants, the first procedure involves the placement of the implant itself. The surgery is performed in our office under local anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, we will open up the gums where your missing tooth once was and drill a small hole into the jawbone. Then, we will gently place the implant into the drilled hole before stitching up your gums. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour to place the implant, depending on where we are placing the implant and how many we need to place.
Step 3: Attaching the Abutment
There will be several weeks (usually between 10 to 12 weeks) between steps 2 and 3. During this recovery process, a naturally occurring phenomenon known as osseointegration will take place. Since the implant is made from titanium, the tissue and bone surrounding it will begin to fuse with the metal to make the implant a natural and permanent structure.
Once this phase is complete, we will open up the gums to reveal the implant. Then a metal or ceramic abutment is attached to the top of the implant. An abutment serves as a connector between the implant and the replacement tooth.
Step 4: The Dental Crown
After a few more weeks of healing, a custom-made dental crown will be securely connected to the abutment to restore your smile. A dental crown is always matched to the rest of your smile to make sure the shape and color match your natural teeth.
With offices in Palm Springs and West Palm Beach, FL, Family Dentistry of Palm Beach is making it easier for patients to get dental implants when it’s convenient for them. To schedule a consultation with our team, call (561) 795-7668 or (561) 582-1911 today.