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What to Expect From Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are a great treatment, but some people may be put off having them due to the fact it involves surgery. In fact anybody who has had a single implant successfully placed will probably have been extremely surprised at just how easy the process is. The reality is that Dr David Brown will make sure you do not experience any pain during the surgery, and many people experienced very little discomfort afterwards.

If you do feel anything once the anaesthetic wears off, then this is usually easily controlled using over-the-counter painkillers, and it should resolve itself within a couple of days. The actual process to place a dental implant is really quite quick, and it only takes around half an hour to place a single implant. In comparison the planning for implant surgery can take quite a bit longer, as you will need to have dental x-rays, and you may need to have a CT scan to ensure placement is absolutely accurate.

During implant surgery Dr David Brown, or another by dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare will create a tiny hole in your jawbone, and sometimes a surgical guide will have been prepared to help accurately place the implant. It is a very technical procedure, as bone is a living organism that has to be very carefully handled. The actual implant placement may feel a little strange, but you won’t feel any pain. Afterwards the gum tissue is closed up with stitches so the area can begin to heal.

Dental implants are made out of titanium, and the reason for this is because the alloy has a unique ability to be able to fuse or integrate with your jawbone, and this is particularly important. The actual post of a dental implant is constructed in a way to maximise contact with your jawbone, and this can mean it is specially treated or is roughened to increase its surface area. Once it’s in place it will be surrounded by healthy bone, and is part of the healing process your body will begin to grow new bone cells on and around the post. This part of the process is called Osseo integration, as Osseo means bone, and integration means to fuse with. Once the post has a fully integrated into your jawbone then you’ll be able to have your crown fitted.

This is the final step, and you’ll need to return to Leeds City Dentalcare to have something called an abutment fitted to the titanium post. This is used to support the crown and looks a little like a short, stubby metal tooth, although you may also opt to have an abutment made out of zirconia, a tooth coloured material which is perfect if you intend to have an all ceramic crown. The abutment is completely covered with the crown so it won’t be visible. Once the abutment has been fitted then an impression is taken with it in place, and this will be used to fabricate your new crown.

Implant surgery is complicated, but as the patient you’ll be fully guided through the process, and you’ll find it very straightforward and easy to deal with. Dental implant in Leeds are probably the best way of replacing missing teeth at the moment, or at least until science develops a method where we can grow an extra set of teeth.