Blog Layout

The Five Stages Of Dental Implants Explained Each In More Detail

Faris Kirmani • Sep 18, 2022

how long does dental implant procedure take richmond

According to a leading healthcare group, the average Australian is missing five teeth. In fact, only one out of every ten Australians experiences no form of tooth decay or gum disease in their lifetime. So, if you have one or more missing teeth, you’re certainly not alone.

The good news is that these days, missing teeth can be replaced with implant-based restorations and dental implants are undoubtedly the closest thing to natural teeth as modern dentistry gets. So if you are considering tooth implants, you’ll be pleased to know that undergoing a dental implant procedure is a sound investment in your smile and can last for many years.

But while you might know that the procedure takes several months to complete, do you fully understand the stages of dental implants and why they’re essential? If not, don’t worry, because we’ll take a closer look.

The five stages of dental implants explained

There are, in essence, five fundamental steps that a patient needs to go through to complete a dental implants procedure. Typically the stages would span anywhere between four and nine months, depending upon the complexity of each case and includes:

The consultation
Dental implant surgery
Osseointegration
Fitting the abutment
Placing the permanent crown.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at each of these key stages in more detail.

Firstly, the consultation

A consultation is vital for any complex process, and a dental implant procedure is no exception. Your dentist needs to confirm that you’re a good candidate. By this, we mean no underlying health conditions that may jeopardise the process and a relatively healthy mouth. Therefore during the all-important consultation, the dentist will carry out a series of examinations, health checks and x-rays to ascertain candidacy. If you’re good to go, your dentist will give you a written treatment plan detailing treatment timescales and, of course, the overall dental implants cost.

Your dentist will welcome any questions or concerns about the dental implant procedure so you can make a final and informed decision.

As a top tip, look for an experienced implant dentist that offers a dental consultation near you. This way, you don’t need to travel far to get the necessary information. Find more details.

Dental implant surgery

If you are happy to proceed, a date will be set for your implant surgery. Understandably, this is the part that most people dread, but in truth, it’s over before you know it, and it should be a comfortable process. Typically, dental implants are placed under a local anesthetic where the implant is inserted directly into the jawbone.

With a conventional dental implant procedure, the gum is incised so that the bone is exposed, the implant placed, and the gum is sutured shut. Alternatively, a pilot hole is drilled through the gum directly into the bone beneath using computer-guided surgery. The implant is then placed. This way, there is no need to cut the gum, thus promoting quicker surgery and a speedier recovery.

Osseointegration/recovery

Regarding the key stages of dental implants, osseointegration is probably the most critical stage. Why?

Because without it, the remainder of the dental implant procedure can’t occur. Let me explain.

One of the many benefits of dental implants is that they don’t rely on remaining natural structures for support. They are, in fact, a standalone replacement. This means that once in place, the integrity of other teeth remains intact.

Once a tooth implant is anchored into the jaw, it goes through a process of bone fusion (osseointegration). In essence, bone tissue fuses with the titanium implant to form a super-strong platform that can support a restoration, such as a single crown or a dental bridge.

The good thing about the osseointegration process is that you won’t even know it’s happening, and it won’t impact your normal daily activities. Typically it takes 2-5 months for this part of the process to complete, and regular check-ins with your dentist will determine when the process has occurred.

Abutment fitting

Okay, so by now, it’s been several months, and you’ve had the consultation, undergone successful surgery, and the dental implants have fully stabilised in your mouth. The next step in the process is to fit the abutment.

An abutment is a small socket that sits between the implant and the permanent restoration and has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it attaches the restoration to the implant. Secondly, it acts as a shock absorber or cushion, lessening the force on the implant when biting or chewing, so it’s a crucial stage of the dental implant procedure.

With conventional implant placement, the gum will need to be incised again, thus exposing the implant and the abutment attached. Conversely, with digital computer-guided dental implants, the abutment is often fitted simultaneously with the implant so that this stage may be bypassed altogether. Either way, know that the abutment is an integral part of the make-up of a tooth implant.

Placing the permanent crown

Finally, after 5-9 months, it’s time to fit your permanent crown. Typically, and depending upon where the restoration is in the mouth, your dentist may have fitted a temporary crown while the final restoration is made. Now it’s time for any temporary to be removed and the permanent crown to be cemented in position.

Modern crowns are incredibly lifelike, and once in place, they should look like they’ve been there forever, blending in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

And there you have it, the five stages of dental implants explained. While it may be a lengthy journey spanning some five to nine months, the results are most definitely worth it.

If you’d like to learn more about the dental implant procedure, get a consultation at your local dental clinic. Here at Riverlands Dental, for example, we are experienced implant dentists that offer consultations for the replacement of a single tooth, several teeth or an entire arch of teeth.

Call today on (02) 4501 7930 or book an appointment online and let us give you the beautiful smile you deserve.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.