What is the Process for Getting a Dental Implant in Winter Park?
The following information is regarding replacing a single tooth with a dental implant. There are unique differences and considerations when getting dental implants for full-mouth dentures, which we will not cover in this article.
Once you know what a dental implant is and whether or not it is the right choice for you (ask your local dentist) – there are several steps to getting a dental implant:
Consultation and Planning: Evaluation by an implant placement specialist (typically an oral surgeon or a periodontist) to determine the preparation (such as bone grafting if needed), implant type, and dental implant placement. Pricing for the various steps is typically provided at this stage. In unique cases, you may also be referred to be evaluated by a cosmetic dentist (like us at The Ivory Dental) or an orthodontist to provide sufficient spacing for the best-looking smile.
Extraction of teeth: If the tooth is still in place, a planned extraction should be performed by the implant specialist so they may take into account unique considerations such as same-visit bone grafts. However, extractions performed by another dentist are also acceptable.
Implant site preparation: Depending on your specific situation, a bone graft, ridge augmentation, or other procedures may be required for the stability and longevity of the implant
Implant placement: The oral surgeon or periodontist performing the implant makes a small incision to your gums to access the jawbone and makes a small, specifically sized hole to insert the titanium screw implant. This implant acts as your tooth root replacement.
Healing/recovery: The natural healing process known as "osseointegration" is when your body adapts and heals around the placed implant to finalize the strength of the implant placement. This typically takes weeks to months, depending on your specific situation. There is still no visible tooth at this time, and you may be wearing a "healing abutment," which serves as a temporary connector into the implant during the healing process.
Crown placement: The final step is to make a custom dental crown to match the tooth you are replacing in the exact shape and color of your smile. The crown is securely attached to an implant abutment (which screws into your implant).
Follow-up and care: Just like your natural teeth, periodic check-ups are essential for your implants for your oral hygiene and to protect your investment. Without proper oral hygiene and care, implants can fail and introduce difficulty and considerable expense to replace.
Why do I have to wait to fill in the missing tooth gap?
The implant placement process does require healing time which can be undesirable for patients since they still have a missing tooth for several weeks or months. However, this is an essential period for the implant to be strong. The body needs to grow bone cells and attach to the implant for a strong and long-lasting implant. Additionally, during this time, the implant specialist will schedule check-ups for you to confirm the healing process is going as planned.
Rushing this process does risk implant failure because putting pressure can disrupt the healing process.
Since the healing time can be pretty inconvenient for patients because it is difficult to chew (back teeth) or unappealing to have a missing tooth for so long (front teeth) – your general dentist can fabricate a temporary partial denture to cover the space. This is most commonly done for patients with replacements to front teeth. However, it is important to have this planned with your general dentist before implant placement since making a partial denture is best done with a 3D scan or impression of your natural teeth so the look and feel can be replicated. This is another reason we recommend starting the implant process with your local general and cosmetic dentist (like The Ivory Dental)!
Do I need a bone graft for a dental implant?
Depending on your specific situation, a bone graft may be required for the longevity of your dental implant. The foundation must be stable and strong since the implant replaces your tooth roots. The primary considerations for a bone graft are:
Insufficient bone structure or strength: this often happens when the extracted tooth was performed a long time ago or has had gradual bone loss due to gum disease / poor oral hygiene.
Bone resorption: Some patients will lose surrounding bone after extraction as the bone naturally wants to shrink in that area. This is another reason we suggest having the implant placement specialist perform the extraction.
Sinus lift: In some patients who need an implant on their upper arch, there may be insufficient room as the implant would be too close to the sinus membrane. This is dangerous as there could be a sinus perforation, which poses a severe risk to the implant's longevity and can cause infections in the implant and surrounding area. A bone graft may be performed to create enough space.
How do I get started with a dental implant?
The first step to getting a dental implant is getting an evaluation from your local general dentist in Winter Park to confirm it is the right choice for you. We always recommend having a clinical opinion from a dentist before starting the implant process since it can be lengthy and expensive. Additionally, a general dentist can provide you with one or multiple recommendations and clinical referrals to implant placement specialists in the area.
Additionally, if you have dental insurance, you should contact a representative of your insurance company by phone to ask specifically about your coverage for implants and implant crowns. As the process is both long and expensive, it will be important to understand your coverage during that process and whether there are limitations. Mainly if there are any required Waiting Periods, maximum coverage amounts, and if there is a Missing Tooth Exclusion which would prevent coverage if the tooth was lost before insurance coverage. View all services of our local dentist in Winter Park.
Whether you have questions about if dental implants in Winter Park are the right procedure for you, need a clinical referral for implants, or looking for help with your insurance – you can always give us a call or book an appointment online.
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