For most people who are missing one or more of their teeth, a dental implant from The Sugar House Dentst in Salt Lake City is an ideal, state-of-the-art solution.
The dental implant process can take several visits over a period of months. Don’t let this discourage you. Each stage of the procedure is critical.
The implant timeline is not a drawback. It is indicative of the permanent nature of an implant.
The Dental Implant Timeline
1. Dental Implant Examination and Assessment
A complete dental implant and restoration consists of a titanium post, the abutment, and the final restoration (crown, denture, bridge, or partial denture).
At your first visit, we’ll take X-rays and evaluate your mouth. We will examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
If you don’t have adequate bone at the implant site, we may recommend bone grafting surgery, a common procedure to generate new bone growth.
2. Tooth Implant Placement
The first step is to insert the titanium alloy implant into your jawbone. Most patients are surprised at how fast and easy the procedure is.
- First, we’ll use local anesthesia to numb the implant location.
- An incision is made in the gums to access the bone.
- A small hole is drilled, and the implant post is screwed in.
- An X-ray confirms the implant is in the right place.
The procedure takes one to two hours.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough for post-surgery soreness. Most people can go resume an ordinary day after the surgery.
We’ll have instructions on post-operative care. Soreness and swelling should subside after a few days. An ice pack can ease swelling.
3. Osseointegration
In the next few months, the jawbone fuses with the implant. Titanium readily integrates with bone. The technical term for this quality is ‘osteophilic’. For most patients, it takes from three to six months for the process to complete.
4. Placing the Final Restoration
The final step is a crown, bridge, or denture. A connecting piece called an abutment attaches the restoration to the artificial root(s). The crown, bridge, or denture is all that is visible at the end of the process.
Dental implants from The Sugar House Dentist in Salt Lake City can improve your life. To find out whether they are right for you, please call our office to schedule an appointment!
Contact The Sugar House Dentist:
801-618-0197
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1955 S 1300 E Ste L2
Salt Lake City, Utah
84105
