Dental implants: the procedure

A dental implant is a metal rod inserted into the jawbone to hold a crown, bridge or denture in place. Essentially, this metal rod is an artificial version of the root portion of your natural tooth. Usually made from titanium, the rod is anchored into a pre-drilled socket in your jaw where it fuses with the bone over a period of time. A small attachment is left protruding through the gum so that dentures, crowns or bridges can be screwed or clipped on. One implant can support one or more false teeth. Five or six implants are usually used to replace all the teeth in the jaw.

The implant procedure should follow the same broad guidelines whichever dentist you visit. Some may vary slightly, although there will normally be four key stages to the process. Each of these stages is worth taking a closer look at:

Consultation

A full consultation, to ascertain your health and fitness for the operation, is essential. This is also a good opportunity to discuss any issues you have face-to-face with your dentist. Not all dentists are qualified to perform implant surgery, so you may be referred to a specialist for your consultation. It either case, it is important that you understand fully what the forthcoming operation involves.

X-ray

One of the reasons why a patient may not be suitable for implants is the thickness of the jawbone and the position of other structures in the mouth. Therefore, an X-ray or CT scan is used to create a map of the area and evaluate whether implants are an appropriate treatment.

Anaesthesia

Implant surgery is usually carried out under local anaesthetic in which case your mouth and the area around your mouth will be numb but you will remain awake during the procedure. For some patients, anaesthesia creates complications. In some cases, therefore, sedation or a general anaesthetic may be recommended. If you have any concerns regarding the anaesthetising process, it is important to discuss them with your dentist at the consultation stage.

Surgery

During surgery, an incision is made in the gum and a hole then drilled into the jawbone. The metal implant fits into this hole. Depending on the patient and the complexity of the case, the procedure can be carried out all at once or over a number of stages. For example, the dentist may choose to place the implant into the tooth socket directly after the tooth has been removed (if a removal is required) and replace the root of the natural tooth straightaway. Alternatively, the implant can be placed into the jawbone later – in fact, even after the tooth has been removed and the socket has healed.

For the same reasons, it is possible for a dentist to attach artificial teeth on the same day that you have the implant. Usually, however, it takes three to six months for a patient’s mouth to heal before the teeth can be fitted. This period also gives time for the jawbone to fuse properly with the metal implant.

Healing

During the healing process, there can be some side-effects such as soreness, swelling and discomfort around the implant area. Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, will normally help. You may also receive an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the risk of post-surgery infection.

Sometimes, while your mouth is healing, your dentist may fit a temporary bridge or partial denture. This ensures that gaps in your teeth are not visible and also protects the implant and gum while it heals effectively.

Once the mouth has healed, some patients may require a smaller, second surgical procedure to ensure that the artificial teeth, gum and implant fit together in the best possible way. Your dentist will ensure that they fit properly, match your other teeth and feel comfortable.

1. Dental implants
2. Dental implants: the facts
3. Dental implants: the alternatives
4. Dental implants: the procedure
5. Dental implants: the advantages
6. Dental implants: the costs
7. Dental Implants: the result