When suffering from a cracked, infected, or missing tooth, your dentist might advise you to get a dental implant. Dental implant surgery is a somewhat complex procedure that involves multiple steps and a fair amount of time before fixing the problem completely. When performed by a highly-skilled dentist in Naples and correctly it can be a safe procedure with a high rate of success. After everything is said and done, you’ll end up with a durable solution that can last you a lifetime if you treat it with proper care. If you’re looking to receive dental implants in Naples, we have a few things to share with you. Here is what is normally involved during the process of obtaining a dental implant and after.
Physical exam and X-rays
Before starting the procedure, your dentist in Naples might conduct a physical exam to assess the severity of your problem. Then, they will order some X-rays to evaluate the state of your jawbone. It’s important that the bone where the implant is going to be placed is apt and there are not any issues like bone loss or impacted teeth. If it turns out the bone is compromised, then your dentist might have to do a bone graft before even considering placing the implant. In any case, the state your mouth is in will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Getting an impression
If after studying the X-rays everything is in order, then your dentist will proceed to take an impression of your teeth. This means they will use a tray filled with a sticky paste to create a mould of your bite. The impression will be sent to a dental lab where they will construct a crown to be placed over your implant. Some people find this step cumbersome as having the tray with the paste can sometimes trigger the gag reflex, but as long as you stay calm and breathe through your nose, you won’t have any issues.
Extracting the tooth
If your initial problem involves a damaged tooth, then it will need to be extracted to continue with the procedure. Your oral caregiver will probably use a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area of the tooth before cutting the tissue around the teeth to loosen it. Once it’s extracted, there might be some bleeding but your dentist should be able to control it by placing a gauze pad.
After this step is done, your dentist will make sure your jawbone is adequate to receive the implant. If the bone is healthy enough then the implant will be placed at the same appointment.
Placing the implants
This step can be done under local anesthesia, but some patients prefer to be completely sedated for the procedure. If you’re going to be under general anesthesia, then your oral caregiver will provide you with strict instructions about your diet the day before. After numbing the area, the dentist will then cut open your gum to expose the jawbone. Then they will use a drill to make room for the implant. After creating the necessary space, they will place the implant.
Last part of the procedure
After a few weeks or months, the implant should be completely combined with bone. Your dentist will then be able to place an abutment and finally the permanent crown over the implant. Remember, after getting the implant placed you will need a few days of rest to recover. Your dentist will ensure you have cleaning instructions and diet recommendations, and prescribe you pain medication. By thoroughly following their directions you will recover in no time.
Don’t forget to ask about dental implants near you at your local dental office if you still have any doubts about the procedure. They will be happy to help you.