The 3 Steps To Getting A Dental Implant

By: Britely

The dental implant process is typically broken into several steps.

Those steps vary depending on exactly what type of treatment you need. For example, a single tooth dental implant process is different than a full mouth dental implant process.

The process may also vary depending on whether your dentist recommends you have additional work, such as a sinus augmentation or a bone graft.

That said, most dental implant procedures contain at least a few common steps.

3 Common Dental Implant Steps

Simply put, most all dental implant procedures contain at least three steps.

1. Placing the dental implant
2. Placing the abutment
3. Placing the prosthetic

To understand why completing the dental implant is really a three step process (and why it takes several months) it’s important to understand how each part affects the whole.

The illustration below shows how the implant, abutment, and crown make up what most people think of as a single tooth dental implant.

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Step 1: Placing the implant

• In the first phase of the implant procedure, your dentist will surgically insert the implant into your jaw bone.
• A dental implant is a metal rod (at Britely we use high quality, made-in-the-USA titanium). It acts like an artificial tooth root.
• Since the implant replaces the tooth root, it needs to fuse with your jawbone.
• That means, after the dental implant is placed, time is required for it to fully fuse (this process is called osseointegration) and for the implant sight to heal.
• During osseointegration, your bone cells will actually fuse around the implant rod and fill any gaps. This ensures that the implant is permanently secure in your jaw, and ready for the next step of the process.

Step 2: Placing the abutment

• An abutment is a post that connects helps the dental implant connect to the prosthetic (the crown, bridge, or denture).
• Whether you are getting a single tooth dental implant or a full mouth solution, you need an abutment.
• The abutment is placed inside the dental implant to stick up just above the gum line to attach to the prosthetic tooth.
• Just like the dental implant, you usually need some time to heal around the abutment before your crown can be placed. 

Step 3: Placing the prosthetic

• Once the implant and the abutment have healed, your prosthetic tooth is ready to be installed.
• If you’re getting a single tooth replaced, step three is when you get your crown.
• If you’re getting a full mouth dental implant solution, step three is when you get your denture fixed to your implant.

And that’s it! Once you’re through all three phases, you’ll have a brand new tooth (or teeth) that, if properly cared for, should last you a lifetime. 

Help With Dental Implants

The dental implant process can be confusing. You might be wondering if you’re a good candidate for dental implants or what your unique process would look like. We know many questions come up when you’re doing your research!

That’s why our consultations are always complimentary, and you can find tons of resources right here in our blog to help you navigate the implant decision making process.

At Britely, we love helping our customers find just the right dental implant solution for their needs and budgets.

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So, if you find you still have questions and want to speak to a professional, schedule your free consultation today and get all your questions answered.