What is dental implant surgery?

Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts, and artificial teeth that closely resemble real teeth take the place of damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the bone. After a few months, the bone around the implant grows, holding it firmly in place. The replacement teeth are then attached to the implant with a metal connection, filling the gap.

How dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone. Dental implant surgery may involve several procedures. The main benefit of implants is that they provide solid support for your new teeth, a process that requires strong bone to grow around the implant. Since bone growth takes time, this process can take several months.

Why do we perform implant surgery?

Dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone and act as the root of your missing teeth. Because the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, they don’t slip, make noise, or damage the bone. The material also can’t decay like the teeth that support traditional bridges.

In general, implants will be beneficial if you:

Have one or more missing teeth.

Have jawbone that is fully developed.

Have enough bone to support the implants or are eligible for a bone graft.

Have healthy oral tissues.

Your health will not negatively affect bone healing.

You are unable or unwilling to wear dentures.

You want to improve your speech ability.

You are able to commit to a treatment process for several months.

You don’t smoke tobacco.

Dental Implant Risks

Dental implant surgery, like any other surgery, carries health risks. However, complications are rare, and when they do occur, they are usually minor and easily treated. Implant risks include:

Dental implant surgery, like any other surgery, carries health risks. However, complications are rare, and when they do occur, they are usually minor and easily treated. Implant risks include:

Infection at the implant site

Damage to structures around the mouth, such as other teeth or blood vessels

Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin.

Sinus problems occur when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities.

Planning for Dental Implants

The planning process for dental implants may involve a variety of specialists, including a doctor who specializes in oral, maxillofacial, and facial conditions (oral and maxillofacial surgeon), a dentist who specializes in treating the structures that support teeth, such as gums and bone (periodontist), a dentist who designs and fits artificial teeth (prosthodontist), and sometimes an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

Because dental implants require one or more surgeries, you will need to have a thorough evaluation to prepare for the procedure, including:

A comprehensive dental exam, including X-rays and 3D models of your teeth and jaw.

Review your medical history. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. If you have certain heart conditions or orthopedic implants, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection.
A treatment plan tailored to your condition. This plan will take into account factors such as the number of teeth that need to be replaced and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.
To control pain, anesthesia options during surgery include local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. Be sure to talk to your dentist about which option is best for you. Your dental care team will instruct you about eating and drinking before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia. If you have sedation or general anesthesia, plan to have someone drive you home after surgery, and you may rest for the rest of the day.

What You Can Expect from Dr. Hashemi’s Implants

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in stages, with recovery time between procedures. The dental implant procedure involves several steps, including:

Removal of the damaged tooth
Jawbone preparation (grafting), if needed
Placement of the dental implant
Bone growth and healing
Placement of the abutment
Placement of the denture
The entire process can take several months from start to finish. Often, this time is spent healing and waiting for new bone to grow into your jaw. Depending on your condition, the specific procedure performed, or the materials used, certain steps may need to be combined.

When is a bone graft needed for implants?
If your jawbone is not thick enough or is too soft, you may need a bone graft before dental implant surgery. This is because the powerful chewing action of your mouth puts a lot of pressure on your bone, and if it can’t support the implant, the surgery is likely to fail. A bone graft can provide a stronger base for the implant.

There are several bone graft materials that can be used to rebuild your jawbone. Options may include a natural bone graft, such as from another location in your body, or a synthetic bone graft, such as bone substitute materials that can provide support structures for new bone growth. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the options that work best for you.

It may take several months for the grafted bone to grow enough new bone to support the dental implant. In some cases, you may only need a partial bone graft, which can be done at the same time as your implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone will determine how you proceed.

Placing a Dental Implant
During your dental implant surgery, your oral surgeon will make an incision to open your gums and expose the bone. Holes are then drilled in the bone where the metal post of the dental implant will be placed. Since the post acts as the root of the tooth, it will be implanted deep into the bone.

At this point, you will still have a gap where your tooth was lost. If needed, a temporary partial denture can be placed to maintain appearance. You can remove this denture for cleaning and when you sleep.

Waiting for the bone to grow
Once the metal post of the implant is placed in your jawbone, osseointegration (oss-ee-oh-in-tuh-GRAY-shun) begins. During this process, your jawbone grows and fuses with the surface of the dental implant. This process, which can take several months, helps create a strong foundation for your new denture, much like roots do for your natural teeth.

Placing the abutment
Once osseointegration is complete, you may need additional surgery to place an abutment (the piece that will eventually hold the crown). This minor surgery is usually done under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.

To place the abutment:

The surgeon will reopen your mouth and gums to expose the dental implant.

The abutment is attached to the dental implant.
The gum tissue is then closed around the abutment, but not over it.
In some cases, the abutment is attached to the metal post of the dental implant when the post is placed. This means that you won’t need an additional surgical step. However, because the abutment goes through the gum line, it is visible when you open your mouth and will remain so until your dentist completes the denture. Some people don’t like this look and prefer to have the abutment placed in a separate procedure.

After the abutment is placed, your gums will need to heal for about two weeks before the denture can be attached.

Is a full implant better than a denture and a bridge?

Dental implants are not for everyone and can be expensive if you need to replace a lot of teeth. In some cases, there may be complications that make implants unsuitable for you. You may also want to consider another option.

Full mouth implants

If you need to replace a lot of teeth, you may want to consider full mouth implants. This procedure is also known as “all on four” or “all on six,” depending on whether you have four or six implants per arch.

Since implants are as strong as a straw to hold multiple teeth, six implants will be enough to replace 10 or 12 consecutive missing teeth in the upper or lower arch of your mouth. Implants can be considered an alternative to other treatments, such as dentures.

Dentures

A denture is also known as a denture. Artificial teeth are placed on the gums and can be moved. Unlike dentures, dental implants are completely screwed or cemented into the mouth and function like real teeth.

Dentures can be complete or partial. They are less expensive than implants but may not last as long as implants. Dentures may also require adhesive to stay in place.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are another alternative to implants. A bridge is a tooth or artificial tooth that is held in place by teeth on either side of a gap. These healthy teeth are usually drilled so that a crown can be placed over them.

Bridges do not require drilling into the jawbone and are less expensive than implants. They may also need to be replaced due to decay, breakage, or chipping of the porcelain, but many will last a long time.

Choose your new denture
As your gums heal, you will have more impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth. These impressions are used to create a veneer to give you a realistic-looking denture. A crown cannot be placed until your jawbone is strong enough to accommodate the new tooth.

You and your dentist can choose between removable, fixed, or a combination of both:

Combined fixed and removable dentures: This type of denture is similar in functionality to a regular removable denture and can be a partial or complete denture that consists of white artificial teeth surrounded by pink plastic resin. It is mounted on a metal frame that is attached to an implant abutment and is securely held in place. It can be easily removed for daily maintenance or cleaning.
Fixed denture: In this type, a denture is permanently screwed or cemented onto an implant abutment. You cannot remove the denture from your mouth for cleaning or while you sleep. Most often, each crown is attached to a dental implant. However, because implants are so strong, if multiple teeth are connected, they can be replaced with a single implant.

After Surgery
Whether you have dental implant surgery in one or more stages, you may experience some common complications associated with any type of dental surgery, including:

Swelling of your gums and face
Bluing of your skin and gums
Pain at the implant site
Minor bleeding
You may need pain medication or antibiotics after dental implant surgery. If swelling, discomfort, or any other problems get worse in the days following surgery, contact your oral surgeon.

After each stage of surgery, you may need to eat soft foods while the surgical site heals. Typically, your surgeon will use stitches that dissolve on their own. If your stitches do not dissolve on their own, your doctor will remove them.

Summary
Most dental implants are successful. However, sometimes the bone does not fuse well enough with the metal implant. For example, smoking can contribute to implant failure and increased post-operative complications.

If the bone does not fuse well enough, the implant is removed, the bone is cleaned, and you can try again in about three months.

You can help your dentist work and keep your natural teeth if you:

Maintain good oral hygiene. Just like your natural teeth, keep your implants, dentures, and gum tissue clean. Specially designed brushes, such as an interdental brush that slides between your teeth, can help clean the corners and crevices around your teeth, gums, and metal brackets.

Visit your dentist regularly. To ensure the health and proper functioning of your implants, follow your dentist’s recommendations for regular checkups and professional cleanings.
Avoid bad habits. Don’t chew hard foods like ice and hard candy. This can even cause your crown or natural teeth to break. Avoid using tobacco and consuming caffeinated products. If you grind your teeth, consider getting treatment.