The Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants: A Permanent Fix for Missing Teeth

The dental implant process has six essential steps and takes six to nine months. 

• Consultation: During your initial consultation with Dr. Garrett, you’ll undergo a comprehensive examination and have x-rays taken. This will include ruling out gum disease, decay, or other dental problems affecting your implants. The x-rays will determine whether or not you have enough bone mass to support a dental implant. 
• Pre-surgery procedures, if needed: If you don’t have sufficient jawbone, Dr. Garrett will perform a bone graft procedure to restore the lost bone tissue. Also, if your tooth needs to be extracted, that will be done at this time. 
• Surgical placement of the titanium post: Once the previous steps have been done, your implant process begins. Dr. Garrett will place a titanium post directly into your jawbone. This titanium screw will serve as the root for your new tooth. 
• Fusion and healing: For four to six months, the implant will fuse with the jawbone. Once the screw is completely integrated with the bone in your jaw, you have a firm foundation for completing the dental implant process. 
• Abutment placement: After your implant has healed, a small metal appliance is connected to the screw. 
• Restoration with a porcelain crown: Finally, a crown is placed atop the abutment to complete your tooth replacement process. 

Most people will have their dental implants for a lifetime. The materials used for dental implants are very durable. At some point, dental implants occasionally need adjustments, but it’s rare to have to replace an entire implant.