What To Expect When Getting Dental Implants
October 9, 2018
Everyone has their own reason for getting dental implants. Some people like how they look just like natural teeth while others enjoy the litany of health benefits. Dental implants prevent other teeth from shifting out of place and stop the loss of jawbone tissue. However, it is surgery and patients deserve to know what they are getting into. Here are the basics to know about the procedure but our dentist in Palm Harbor, FL will go over every last detail with you during the consultation.
Before Placing the Implant
In some cases, part of the damaged tooth will still be there which will need to be removed by the dentist. Since the implant will eventually fuse with the jawbone, our dentist needs to make sure the bone is strong enough to support it. If it is not, then our dentist will recommend bone grafting to strengthen it. You cannot get an implant if you suffer from any other oral health problem, so patients with gum disease will need to take care of that prior to the surgery.
During the Placement
Our dentist will cut into the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. For the dental implant to fit, a hole is made within the bone. The dental implant post is rooted deep into the bone in order to mimic a natural tooth, and afterward, it needs time to heal. You will receive a temporary abutment over the implant so that you can chew, but it will not be as resilient as your permanent replacement.
After the Procedure
A dental implant needs time to fuse with the bone through osseointegration and this can take several months. You will schedule a follow-up with our dentist to make sure the surgery is healing normally. You can now receive your permanent replacement tooth. After the surgery, you can expect some side effects, including minor bleeding, gum swelling and minor pain at the surgery site.
All This Can Be Handled Here
You can contact Dr. Dan Knellinger at Knellinger Dental Excellence to schedule your dental implant consultation.