Dental implants are used by around 3 million persons in the United States. This figure is expected to rise by roughly 500,000 every year. People are increasingly choosing implants over traditional dentures, crowns, and bridges.

When you get dental implants, you are replacing your tooth roots with metal tooth posts. These dental posts function similarly to fake tooth screws. Implants vary from bridges and crowns in that they function and look like natural teeth.

The way your dentist performs the dental operation is determined by the type of implant you require if you have an allergic reaction and the state of your jawbone. You may need to visit a dental implant center numerous times to allow your bone to recover properly around the implant. This healing process may take some time, but it will secure the new tooth.

Here are five initial steps of the dental implant procedure:

1. Initial Evaluation

Your dentist or oral surgeon will first perform a thorough evaluation to select the optimal dental implant technique for you based on the state of your jawbone. This preliminary evaluation includes X-rays, impressions, and matching the color of your teeth to ensure that your implant looks as natural as feasible.

Depending on your oral health status, you will decide how many teeth you want to replace with implants, which may necessitate extra planning with periodontists.

You will also go over all of your medical issues and medications. Antibiotics may be required before surgery depending on your health or orthopedic implants to avoid infection.

2. Tooth Extraction

If you still have a tooth that needs to be replaced, your dentist will remove it before proceeding with the dental work. This can be done concurrently with the implant insertion.

Your dentist will go over anesthetic alternatives with you. Your dentist will most likely use a local anesthetic such as novocaine (or lidocaine) to make you feel numb and relieve any pain. Unless the tooth is damaged, removing it should not take long.

While the tooth is pulled, you will only feel a slight tug and pressure. After the extraction, you should avoid smoking, blowing your nose, excessively spitting, and drinking via a straw. These behaviors can result in a dry socket and pain.

3. Inserting the Dental Implant and Bone Grafting 

There are two main types of dental implants: those that are introduced into your jawbone and those that are placed directly beneath the gumline. Let's talk about whether you have an implant in your jawbone. If your existing jawbone is robust and thick enough, you may not require any additional bone.

Your jaw needs to be strong since chewing puts a lot of strain on it, and your bone needs to be robust to preserve the implant. If your jaw requires additional bone, it will usually come from somewhere other than the implant location.

If you have a graft, you may need to wait for the bone to mend before adding the implant. The dentist or surgeon will place the implant after the bone has healed.

After the implant has been placed in your jawbone, it will start to grow around the implant. It is then integrated into your natural gum line. This procedure differs from person to person and might take from 3 to 9 months.

4. Abutment Placement

When your implant is sufficiently stable, the dentist will install an abutment on top of it. This portion is what links your implant to your crown. The abutment must be tightened so that it remains in position during eating.

Except for a slight pressure, you will feel nothing during this operation. A local anesthetic will be administered to that location.

Because it extends beyond the gum line, the abutment can sometimes be inserted at the same time as the implant. Because it will be obvious when you grin, you will need to consider how to conceal it. A healing cap will be applied by the dentist to prevent tissue and bone from growing on top of the abutment.

5. Adding the Permanent Crown

Your dentist will create your fake tooth or crown after your gums have healed. You can have a detachable or permanent implant. If you have several teeth in the rear, you may prefer removable dentures so that you can clean and replace them as needed.

A permanent implant cannot be removed to be replaced or cleaned. It is fastened into the abutment permanently or bonded down with cement.