Whether the dentist needs to replace one missing tooth or multiple, dental implants are a reliable, long-term, and promising treatment option. They are as close to natural teeth and provide the patient with almost perfect aesthetics regarding their teeth. However, before placing an implant, the doctor needs to conduct a thorough examination to determine the number and type of implants needed, the degree of jaw degeneration, etc.
Pre-prosthetic implant imaging includes an appraisal of the implant site, determination of the bone quality and quantity, assessment of the alveolar process, and detection of oral pathologies surrounding the operative site. The dentist will use oral radiographs and photographs, along with a smile analysis of the patient to determine the treatment plan. Radiographs required for dental implants are panoramic x-ray (OPG), occlusal x-rays, bitewing x-rays, periapical x-ray, cephalometric x-ray, CT scans, etc.
The dentist will also take a comprehensive medical history as implants can’t be performed for patients that have uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, etc.
Treatment
Following the diagnosis, your dentist will begin the treatment process. Your treatment plan will be formulated based on the results of the diagnostic tests. Often the patient may require additional surgical procedures like bone grafting, jaw augmentation, ridge expansion, sinus lift, etc., to facilitate the success of the treatment. These surgeries can be either performed at the same time as implant surgery or months before.
Implant surgery is performed as a single-day procedure under local anesthesia. The patient is anesthetized and the surgeon fixes an implant screw in the patient’s jaw. A temporary denture is placed on the implant to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Following the surgery, the patient has to come for follow-up appointments to ensure that the implant is integrating properly with the jaw bone.
When the osseointegration is complete, the dentist performs a minor surgery to remove the tissue on the top of the screw and attach an abutment in its place. About 2 weeks after the placement of the abutment, the artificial tooth prosthesis is attached to the gums.
The teeth can be removable or fixed. Removable teeth can be taken out for repair or cleaning but fixed teeth are permanently cemented into the jaws. Since implants provide a very strong attachment, several teeth can be placed as a bridge on a single implant.
Every patient is different and so is their implant need. Book an appointment with the best dentists in Delhi for a personalized dental treatment plan.