Dental implant surgery can be a scary procedure that causes dental anxiety in patients. By understanding what to expect during dental implant surgery, however, patients can calm their nerves and take each step of the process in stride.
The dental implant process is very detailed, and there are several stages that take place throughout the procedure, including the surgery and osseointegration. The following is everything a potential patient needs to know about dental implant surgery, osseointegration and the entire process in general.
Dental implants require a surgical procedure to place the implant component into the jawbone. While it is surgery, the procedure carries very little risk and is a minimally invasive procedure overall. The process involves making an incision into the gums and drilling into the jawbone, after which the implant is inserted deep into the bone. After osseointegration takes place (more on this below), the implant serves as the artificial tooth root.
However, each surgery is different, and the procedure may also involve other surgical components as well, including damaged tooth removal or bone grafting.
The term osseointegration refers to the natural process that takes place when a dental implant fuses with the jawbone. To fully understand what osseointegration is, it is important to understand how the body reacts to foreign objects. Typically, when the body encounters a foreign object it rejects it and tries to expel it from the body. However, there is one exception: Titanium.
When the body experiences titanium, rather than reject it, the bone accepts it and fuses with the titanium - a process called osseointegration. Essentially, osseointegration is the process that takes places when the implant fuses and works in unison with the jawbone to serve as the root of the artificial tooth
After osseointegration takes place following dental implant surgery, the artificial tooth can be placed on the abutment of the implant. Since the dental implant is fused into the jawbone, the artificial tooth is securely fastened into place. While the exact lifespan of a dental implant is dependent on how well they are cared for, they typically last well over a decade without needing to be replaced. In fact, it is not unusual for dental implants to last for more than twenty-five years.
When compared against other teeth replacement options, dental implants are by far the longest-lasting, most permanent solution available.
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and restore the natural appearance of your smile to a point in which you can truly feel confident. If you are considering dental implant surgery - or simply want to learn more about dental implants or osseointegration - contact us and schedule a time to come in for a visit.
Everyone deserves to feel confident in their smile and be able to function each day in a normal manner, and we are dedicated to helping patients accomplish just that through dental implant surgery.
Request an appointment here: or call John M. Chaves, DDS at (818) 999-2707 for an appointment in our Woodland Hills office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants.
Dental implant surgery can be a scary procedure that causes dental anxiety in patients. By understanding what to expect during dental implant surgery, however, patients can calm their nerves and take each step of the process in stride.The dental implant process is very detailed, and there are several stages that take place throughout the procedure,…
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Dental implant surgery can be a scary procedure that causes dental anxiety in patients. By understanding what to expect during dental implant surgery, however, patients can calm their nerves and take each step of the process in stride.The dental implant process is very detailed, and there are several stages that take place throughout the procedure,…