Dental Implants Procedure Steps – All You Need To Know

While dental implants are the closest a person can get to having their missing teeth back, they aren’t a quick-fix solution. If you’ve been researching, you probably know that dental implant treatment takes several months to complete because of the time needed for the mouth to heal at different stages of the treatment and to grow new bone. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss the various dental implant procedure steps, so you know what to expect throughout your implant journey. Consider getting a free consultation at your local dental clinic to discuss any concerns with your dentist.

What is a dental implant procedure?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically embedded deep into the jawbone. It provides a strong foundation for a permanent fixed tooth (dental crown) or removable teeth like a dental bridge or dentures. Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth or even, all of your teeth. So now you know, let’s return to the teeth implants procedure and what you can expect.

Critical steps of the dental implants procedure

Step one – evaluation and planning process

Because the dental implant procedure involves one or more surgical procedures, the first step is a thorough evaluation to prepare you for the process. This entails:

• A comprehensive dental examination including 3D x-rays of your teeth and a digital teeth model combined to create an accurate 3D replica of your mouth.  
• A review of your medical history – you must tell your dentist if you suffer from any medical conditions and any medication you are taking. 
• A tailored treatment plan to suit your situation, considering the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth and the number of teeth you are replacing. A team of dental professionals provide coordinated care based on the implant solution that’s best for you.  

This planning ensures a safer, faster dental implant surgery and a better chance of a successful outcome. Schedule your free dental consultation with a dentist to learn more.

Step two – dental implant surgery

The next step of any teeth implants procedure is the placement of the implant or implants. Here at  Beyond 32 Dental, our dentist provides digital keyhole implants for patients utilising cutting-edge techniques. 

Dental implant surgery is carried out chairside under a local anaesthetic, and nervous patients may also request sedation to help relax them during the procedure. 

The dentist uses a surgical guide to accurately drill holes into the jawbone into which the titanium posts are placed. Implant placement is a short but comfortable procedure where very little if any, bleeding is present and no sutures are required. 

The benefits of digital dental implants are a shorter chair time, faster recovery, and minimal discomfort after surgery. 

As the jawbone heals, it fuses with the dental implant to anchor it securely into the jaw. Depending on how fast your body heals, this may take anywhere from six weeks to several months. 

Optional step – bone graft

Like natural teeth, dental implants rely on the bone for support. Should your bone be thin or too soft to hold an implant, our dentist may recommend a bone graft to create a sturdy foundation for the implant. It can take several months for the new bone to grow, and naturally, this will lengthen the duration of the teeth implants procedure. 

Step three – attaching the abutment

Once your mouth has fully healed, and the implant has stabilised, the following dental implant procedure step is to attach the abutment. The abutment is a small connecting piece attached to the implant post to hold a new tooth. Typically, it requires another short surgical process carried out with a local anaesthetic. 

The dentist will open up the gums to expose the implant, attach the abutment to the post, and close the gum tissue around the abutment. In some cases, the dentist may attach the abutment during the initial dental implant surgery. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the gums to heal before the new tooth can be attached. 

Step four – Making and fitting the replacement tooth or teeth

Once the gums have healed, our dentists will take digital impressions of your mouth and existing teeth to make the dental crown. The crown is matched to the colour of your remaining teeth and will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth. 

All that’s left to do is to fit the dental crown either by cementing it or screwing it onto a single dental implant abutment. However, due to the strength of dental implants, several teeth (provided they are bridged together) can also be replaced by a single implant. 

So there you have it. All you need to know about the dental implant procedure steps. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants and whether they are suitable for you, why not take advantage of a free dental implants consultation and free CBT scan. Call us today on (02) 9158 6334 or use our online booking service. 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner