I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
While tooth loss would spell the end of one's social life in the past, it is not the case today thanks to dental implants. Dentists can implant moulds that look and perform like real teeth, and the best part is that they are better than traditional dentures, crowns, and bridges. However, most patients get anxious before getting dental implants, which can be attributed to a lack of information. Understanding the dental implant procedure goes a long way in alleviating anxiety. This article highlights the steps that a dentist takes during a dental implant procedure.
Initial Evaluation
The first thing that a dentist does to prepare for a dental implant procedure is examine the condition of the jawbone. For a dental implant to hold, you must have enough bone material, and an x-ray reveals the status to a surgeon. At this stage, a dentist also takes impressions and photos of your teeth. The impressions help a dentist analyze the cross-section and arrangement of your teeth for implants to fit better. The images allow a dentist to match implants and teeth colour for a natural look. A comprehensive evaluation also includes your medical history and any medications that you are currently taking.
Tooth Extraction and Implant Insertion
The next step after the initial evaluation is tooth extraction and implant insertion. Extraction is only done if part of the tooth being replaced with an implant is still embedded in the jaw. The step usually takes a couple of minutes, so dentists prefer to insert an implant immediately after that. Once a dentist has extracted a tooth, they proceed to install an implant. Insertion is either done directly in the jawbone or on a grafted bone. An implant is immediately inserted into the jawbone if it is strong and thick enough. However, a patient might need a bone graft in the implant area. In such cases, a patient must wait until the bone heals before a dentist can proceed. Implants usually take at most eight months to heal and infuse around the jaw bone.
Abutment and Crown Placement
A crown mould needs something to connect it to a dental implant for stability. The piece is called an abutment, and it is placed and tightened on an implant to prevent dislodging during chewing. Once a dentist is sure that an abutment is tight enough, they add a crown — an artificial tooth — on top. You can choose a temporary or permanent crown depending on preference. Since it is the last stage of a dental implant procedure, a dentist will ask you to perform various chewing actions to assess an implant's stability. Therefore, tell a dentist exactly how you feel for adjustment of an implant.
To learn more about dental implants, contact a dentist.
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