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Dental Implants – What is the process and how long does it take?
January 10, 2012
When you consider dental implants it is extremely important that you have a good understanding of what is involved in the process. This understanding makes the patient a partner with the dentist when it comes to realizing their responsibly in maintaining the implant. It also helps stop anxiety about the length of time the process will require.
The Dental Implant process begins with a consultation with your dentist. The dentist will look at several things including: the quality and quantity of jawbone, the health of gums, your general health, and your general attitude towards the procedure and maintaining good oral health. If there are problems with uncontrolled diseases such as diabetes or insufficient bone to support an implant these conditions will have to be dealt with first. Illness should be brought under control and procedures to add or create new bone may need to be performed.
Next, very careful planning will be done to identify structures like vital nerves. This allows for the correct orientation of the implants. The actual procedure entails opening the gum tissue in order to expose the bone. A hole is bored into the jawbone; this may be done in several steps each of which will widen the hole. When the hole is the correct size and orientation the implant screw or root is screwed into place. This is a precise procedure which takes into account the health of the surrounding bone so it is not overloaded from pressure which can cause implant failure. After the implant is placed the gum tissue is sutured. These sutures are usually removed with two weeks. The process of allowing the implant to heal and fuse with the surrounding bone takes three to six months.
There are differing opinions as to how long the healing time should be before the crown is placed. Impressions will be taken for a crown that will match your existing teeth. Once the gum tissue is ready a post is attached to the implant to support the new porcelain crown. The crown is then placed over the post and cemented. It will have both the look and feel of your natural teeth.
If a tooth has to be extracted first, there are several possible procedures for implant placement.
· Immediate post extraction procedure preserves more of the jawbone since the implant is placed in a recent extraction site. This cuts months off the procedure time.
· Delayed immediate post extraction procedure waits two week to three months after a tooth has been extracted.
· Late implantation occurs when a tooth has been extracted three months or more before the dental implant.
Placing or loading a crowd follows the same type of timeframe.
· Immediate loading of the crown
· Early loading of the crown which occurs one week to three months after the implant screw is placed.
· And delayed loading which takes places more than three months after the implant screw has been placed.
Which timeframe is right for you depends on a number of factors, including general health and jawbone and gum health. This is a matter to be discussed in detail with your dentist. Each individual can expect a very personalized timeframe.
Minimizing Your Discomfort after Oral Surgery
December 31, 1969
Minimizing your Discomfort with Proper Oral Surgery Aftercare
Oral surgery can be necessary to improve or maintain one’s health and prevent future issues. Following oral surgery, special care must be taken to keep surgery sites clean, preclude complications, and minimize discomfort.
The foremost authority on the post-op treatment of oral surgery patients is the dentist or surgeon himself. At the conclusion of the surgery, there will be a set of patient care instructions given by the dentist. Following these instructions will keep you on the path to recovery, decreasing the healing time and time of discomfort. Ensure the instructions are written down and perhaps request that the person accompanying you to and from the surgery remember additional or specific directions and to help you begin your healing process as you arrive at home.
If prescribed pain medication, it will need to be picked up following oral surgery. Taking the 
medication as directed will keep pain to a minimum. Other post-op patient care should include eating foods that are cool in temperature and smooth in texture, keeping cold compresses handy, and rinsing carefully with warm salt water. The cool, smooth foods will be easy to eat and comforting on a sore mouth. Cold compresses like frozen gel or ice packs, or even bagged frozen vegetables, in addition to elevation of the head, will work well to reduce any throbbing pain and keep swelling down. Rinsing with warm salt water will remove remaining food particles and kill bacteria in the mouth – make sure this is done gently and that the water is not spat, but rather allowed to fall from the mouth.
As with any healing process, there are behaviors to avoid until healing is complete, or until authorized by the dentist as they may cause dry sockets, or other painful infections. Do not vigorously rinse or spit, use a straw, smoke or use chewing tobacco, rinse with mouthwash, or participate in physical activity. If you have had an extraction, do not remove anything for the extraction site.
These instructions are sure to include plenty of rest, so take it easy and if you have any further questions or concerns contact Dr. VanderMolen and the staff at Advanced Dental Care at (217) 546-3333. We care about your comfort. Click here for more information on the services available at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield.