If you are dealing with a troublesome tooth, and are considering getting dental implants, then you are probably wondering what the process involves. Getting dental implants is a very intensive process and one that most people have a great deal of trepidation about. This is because of it being a lot more complicated than getting a simple cap or bridge. The implant is a very invasive procedure. However, it is also one that is sometimes the best solution, in fact, it's sometimes the only solution to a tooth that is simply too far for caps or other procedures. Here is what you will need to know about the situation:

Replace A Defective Tooth

The first step involves removing the defective tooth. The tooth will need to be extracted completely, and the area surrounding the tooth will need to be cleaned of infected tissue. This is the first step and often times it will require some time to heal. The tooth area will need to be inspected for any infection and the tissue will need to be removed before the next step, which involves strengthening the jawbone.

Strengthen Your Jawbone Via Grafting

The next step is very important because it lays the foundation for your eventual implant. The jawbone will need to be strong. If it's not strong, then the implant cannot hold in the bone. So, the dentist will need to examine the bone and determine if it needs to be grafted and made stronger. If so, then your dentist will need to graft bone onto your jawbone so that there will be material to hold the implant. This process can take time so be prepared to wait a while between the bone grafting and the actual implant that will need to be inserted into your jawbone.

The Dental Implant Is Inserted Into The Jawbone

After the bone is in shape, it's time to insert the dental implant into the jawbone. This implant is made of a super durable material and it will make sure that the "cap" is secured to the jawbone and does not move. You could imagine the implant as a screw. It's affixed to the jawbone and makes it so that the cap that the dentist will later attach to the abutment will never shift or fall out.

An Abutment Is Attached To The Implant

The cap is never attached directly to the dental implant. There is always a small piece that is a "go between", or a connecting bridge. The abutment is this piece. It attaches to implant and extends above the gum line. The tissue will heal around the abutment and the cap can be placed directly on the abutment.

Finally, The Cap Is Affixed To The Abutment

The final stage involves attaching the cap to the abutment. The cap can either be a removable design, or a permanent one. The permanent ones will require the dentist to use a cementing material that will ensure that the cap never deviates from its place on the abutment.

Contact a dental office like Aaron G Birch, DDS PC for more information and assistance.