Procedure for titanium dental implant
Titanium dental implant is a surgical procedure that will require a specialist. Your dentist will immediately refer you to an oral surgeon. Although a general dentist and periodontist can also place implants. In this case, they should have advanced training and experience with implant placements.
Implanting titanium requires expertise. The procedure for conducting the implant involves the following steps:
- Step 1: Your oral surgeon will first place the implant in your jawbone. The implant looks like a screw and is sometimes called a post.
- Step 2: Next your surgeon will place an abutment on top of the implant. This is to help keep the implant securely in place and also serve as a base for the tooth crown.
- Step 3: Lastly, your oral surgeon or dentist will place a crown on top of the abutment. The crowns serve two purposes which are to mimic the look of the natural tooth and serve as an encasement for the rest of the implants.
The whole procedure is usually not done at once. Your dentist will book several appointments with you for each of the steps. After the titanium post is placed in your jawbone, your oral surgeon may recommend waiting for a few months to complete the remaining two steps. This is so that the jawbone can heal completely.
Your general dentist or prosthodontist may be the one to complete the last step.
Recovery time for the procedure
Before the procedure, your dentist will administer local anesthesia so you don’t feel any pain. In cases of anxiety over the procedure, your surgeon may recommend general anesthesia instead. After the procedure is done, your surgeon may prescribe some medication to help reduce discomfort. This will include ibuprofen (Motrinor Advil).
Your oral surgeon will give detailed instructions on how to care for your new implants, including regular cleaning. You should be able to resume work after two days of the surgery.