A missing tooth can cause many problems both aesthetic and functional. Without all your teeth, the underlying bone in your jaw can begin to erode. The pressure your teeth provide when you bite and chew are necessary to continuing jaw health. Fortunately, your dentist can use dental implant restoration to replace your missing tooth. This guide can walk you through the entire process from beginning to end.

1. Consultation

When you're thinking of getting dental implant restoration, your first step is making an appointment to discuss the procedure with your dentist. They'll perform an exam to ascertain that your teeth are healthy enough for this procedure. Ideally, the surrounding teeth will be healthy and free from decay. If you haven't had x-rays taken in the past year, your dentist will want to take x-rays. These images will let them see the general condition of your teeth and jaw. If you're a good candidate for implant restoration, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth so they can create a crown that will fit the gap in your mouth.

2. Bone Graft

The implant portion of a dental implant restoration is placed through your gums and into your jaw. You need an adequate amount of jawbone in order to hold the implant in place. If your jawbone is weak or eroded, your dentist will need to perform a bone graft surgery first. This will bulk up your jawbone so it can accommodate the implant at a later date. After your bone graft procedure, you will need to allow your jaw to heal for up to five months before the actual implant procedure.

3. Implant Insertion

The actual insertion of your implant will be performed under local anesthesia. Your dentist will make a small cut in your gum and create a space in your jawbone using a drill. Once that's done, they will insert the titanium implant. With time, the bone in your jaw will grow around the implant to hold it fast. This can take up to six months. Traditional implants require two procedures but mini implant procedures are completed all at once. Your dentists will decide which option is right for you.

4. Abutment and Crown Placement

Within six months, your jawbone should have healed around your dental implant. That means it's time to have the abutment and crown placed. The abutment is a piece of porcelain or metal that screws into your implant. Once the abutment is in place, a crown can be attached over it. The crown used in dental implant restorations is the same type used after root canals and other common dental procedures.

For more information, reach out to a company like Tijeras Dental Service today.