Dental implants are the most popular option to replace missing natural teeth, owing to several amazing benefits that they offer. Over three million Americans are said to have dental implants, and the number grows bigger every year. Ever since dental implants have been used, which was a few decades ago, significant advancements have been made in each stage. Today, dental implant surgery is carried out with utmost precision, and the results are more stunning than ever!

What should you expect?

Placing a dental implant in place of a missing natural tooth involves the following stages:

Initial consultation: The dentist will thoroughly diagnose you during the initial consultation. X-rays of the mouth will be taken along with 3D scans, which will be used to map the positioning of the teeth and determine the size and structure of the jawbone.

Jawbone graft: Once the natural tooth is removed from the mouth, the jawbone may deteriorate or shrink. This could change the entire shape of the jawbone, leading to drifting of the teeth, and cause malocclusion. Hence, we may have to perform a bone graft if the jawbone doesn’t have enough volume. Bone tissues will be extracted from a different source and grafted near the jawbone, after which a suitable healing period will be required.

Implant placement: Once the jawbone volume is replenished, the dentist will prepare you for the implant surgery. Local anesthesia will be administered using IV sedation to numb the gums, teeth, and jawbone. High-precision dental instruments will be used to make a small hole in the jawbone, where the metal implant stud will be inserted. It will be secured in place using dental cement.

Healing period: After the surgery, the bone will be allowed to fuse with the metal stud. This process is called osseointegration, and would usually take a few months. This helps to form a firm bond between the bone and the implant, which keeps the implant stable without getting displaced from its position.

Abutment placement: A connecting element called the abutment is used to place the ceramic crown on the metal implant. It is placed just above the gum line.

Placing the crown: Placing the ceramic crown on the abutment to serve as the replacement tooth is quite a crucial step in implant dentistry. The dentist will use highly-precise impressions of the teeth to fabricate the crown. It will be placed on the implant and checked for fit and comfort, after which minor changes may be required in its shape and size. Once finalized, it will be attached to the abutment and bonded firmly in place. A bite test will be taken to ensure it doesn’t alter your natural bite, after which we will polish it to enhance the appearance.

Call us at (212) 758-1000 or schedule an appointment with our professional dentists at our dental office in New York.