Dental implants Summerdale AL serve as a solution for replacing missing teeth. They can support crowns for individual lost teeth, bridges for multiple missing teeth, and even full dentures for those who have lost all their teeth.
Typically, these implants are made from titanium, a metal that works well with the body and can fuse with surrounding bone during the healing process. Recently, zirconia implants, which are white instead of metallic and share similar bonding properties with bone, have gained popularity and have proven to be just as effective as their titanium counterparts.
Stages of Implant Therapy
Assessment
Once you’ve explored the treatment options that work best for you, your dentist or periodontist will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth. This includes taking x-rays and possibly a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan to evaluate the structure and health of your jawbone. These images help identify the locations of critical elements like nerves and sinuses that might be near where the dental implants Summerdale AL will go. This detailed assessment is crucial for planning the precise placement of the implants.
Implant Placement
The process of inserting implants can be done in either one or two stages, depending on your individual needs. Regardless of the approach, the procedure starts with a small incision in the gum to reveal the underlying bone. Special drills are then used to create a space, or “bed,” for the implants to be inserted.
One-Stage Procedure
In a one-stage procedure, the dental implants Summerdale AL is directly placed into the prepared bone, and a healing cap is attached, which extends through the gum. This cap remains in place while the area heals, which typically takes between two to six months. Once healing is complete, the healing cap is removed and replaced with a permanent piece called an abutment. Finally, the replacement tooth, known as the crown, is secured onto the abutment, either by cementing or screwing it into position.
In a two-stage process, a cover screw is placed on top of the implant, and the gum is stitched over it to allow for healing. After this initial phase, a second procedure is required to reveal the implant by making a small cut in the gum, where a healing cap is then attached. Once the gums have healed, typically within four to six weeks, the healing cap is taken off and replaced with an abutment, preparing for the new crown.
Preparation of Teeth and Impression
After your gums have completely healed, which usually takes about four to six weeks, your dentist will create a new impression of your mouth. This impression is essential for crafting a model of your teeth, which the dental technician will use to design your crown or bridge, ensuring it blends seamlessly with your existing teeth for a natural appearance.
Fitting of Crowns or Bridges
Once your crowns and bridges are ready, your dentist will secure them onto the abutments of the dental implants Summerdale AL using cement or screws. They will then verify that everything fits properly and looks aesthetically pleasing, as well as ensure that your upper and lower teeth align comfortably when you bite down.
Bone Grafts
Bone grafts are essential for increasing the width and height of the jawbone where implants will be placed. There are various types of bone grafts: autogenous grafts take bone from your own body, usually the hip; allografts use donated human bone from a “bone bank”; xenografts involve animal bone, mainly from cows, which your body eventually replaces with its own tissue; and alloplasts are synthetic substitutes that mimic human bone to support new bone growth.
Autogenous grafts are often preferred because they reduce the risk of rejection. After the grafting procedure, it’s important to allow at least three months for healing before placing implants, although the exact waiting time can vary depending on how much bone was grafted.
