The entire procedure of receiving a dental implant will take several visits and several months to complete.

The very first step is at your initial evaluation. Brechon Dental will take x-rays to determine the density of your jawbone to see if it can support the dental implant. If your jawbone has atrophied, we may have to initiate the process by adding bone grafting. If there is a damaged or decayed tooth that must be extracted, we will remove it also.

After these preliminary steps are completed, we will begin the implant procedure by administering a local anesthetic to the immediate area. When the tissue is sufficiently numb, we will make a small incision to gain access to your jawbone. We will drill a small hole and insert the titanium post into your jawbone.

The next step takes some patience. It will take a few months for the post to grow or integrate with the jawbone. This is an important step because this is how the stability and strength are secured. When we are comfortable with the integration, we next add an abutment or extension to reach the surface of your gumline. Finally, we either screw or cement the artificial crown on the abutment and your dental implant is completed.

If you are a candidate for a dental implant you may also consider a dental bridge, especially if you have not experienced significant bone loss. The dental bridge uses neighboring teeth as abutments, which places crowns or metal wings over these healthy teeth to keep the false tooth or teeth in place and fill the gap. There are several different types of dental bridges, including traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges. Bridges are usually made from zirconia or porcelain, and the crowns are commonly made of porcelain.

An additional benefit with a dental bridge is that the procedure is less invasive and less painful. Dental bridges are also considerably faster and less costly. Dental implants will last much longer, so patients with dental bridges can end up spending more in the long run. Both treatment options are viable solutions for addressing missing teeth. Be sure to talk with Brechon Dental about which approach is best for you.

One of the main contributing factors when it comes to the longevity of a dental implant is how you care for the implant. A dental implant should be treated just like a natural tooth and should be properly brushed and flossed. This will maintain the health of the gums, and your surrounding teeth.

Make sure to brush, floss and rinse out your mouth at least twice a day to ensure proper overall oral health.

Even though your new implant will be strong a healing process is required after the implant is installed. For the first couple of weeks, a diet consisting of softer food is recommended, with a slow introduction of harder foods. Your jawbone will need to acclimate to the new force that is being applied to it.

A dental implant is an excellent, long-term option for tooth replacement. If you are missing a tooth or need a tooth pulled, speak with Brechon Dental about whether a dental tooth implant is an option for you.