A dental implant is a prosthetic device fixed into the jaw to act as a tooth root onto which a crown is mounted. Dental implants are fancied for their permanency and natural look and feel.
If you have decided to get a dental implant but are not sure of what exactly to expect, here are all the appointments and what they entail.
Appointment #1 – Eligibility Assessment/Impressions
In the first appointment, the doctor will scan you to determine if you’re eligible for the treatment. Your bone should be of the required minimum density for a go-ahead to be issued.
If you’re found to be eligible, impressions of your teeth and mouth will be taken to help in fabricating the dental crown. Your dental crown may be processed in an external lab.
Appointment #2 – Tooth Extraction
What happens during the second appointment may vary depending on whether or not you need a tooth extraction. Tooth extractions are necessary if the tooth that needs replacement is still in place.
A local anesthetic is used during tooth extraction
Appointment #3 – Implant Placement
This appointment may come up to six months after the extraction. If there was no tooth removal needed, it would happen on the first or second appointments.
Appointment #4 – Abutment Placement/Crown Placement
The jaw will take several weeks to a few months to heal and fuse with the implant. An abutment will be placed only after you have healed.
Abutments act as a connector between the implant and the crown. Once the crown is fixed, you’re good to go!
Get Your Dental implant Today
A dental implant can help you forget you ever lost a tooth. Consider the treatment if you want a solution that will last as long as your natural teeth. Call Laguna Smiles at (949) 830-0074 to schedule an implant appointment with one of the best dentists in Laguna Hills.