Dental implant surgery may involve multiple procedures spaced months apart depending on the condition of your bone and if you require a bone graft. The surgery itself is not too hard to endure since the implant area will be numb and you may even be sedated. Here's an overview of what to expect with the dental implant surgery process.

The Bone Graft Comes First

A bone graft isn't always done. Your dentist might be able to adapt the insertion method so you can avoid a graft even if you have some bone loss. However, if you don't have enough strong bone, a graft may be needed so your implant is secure.

The dentist numbs the area first so they can make an incision in your gum to reach the bone. The graft that's inserted might come from your bone or a tissue bank. The graft provides structure for your jawbone to grow around to get strong enough for the implant.

The Implant Is Inserted In Your Bone

If you don't need a bone graft, your dentist will go right to inserting the implant. If you have a bone graft, you may need to allow months for your bone to heal before the implant is done. You might need IV sedation along with an anesthetic shot in the gum before the implant is put in. You might even have general anesthesia if you'll have multiple implants.

The dentist screws the implant into your bone, and they stitch your gum closed over the top of it while your bone grows around the implant. This process could take a few months. Once the implant is secure in your bone, the next step can take place.

The Abutment And Crown Are Added

The next step of the dental implant surgery is to attach the abutment to the post. The abutment is what joins the crown to the implant. The dentist needs to make an incision in your gum to get to the implant so the abutment can be placed.

At this point, you might be given a temporary tooth to wear so the abutment is covered. The dentist makes a mold of your teeth so the permanent crown can be made in a lab. Once your crown is ready, you'll go back to the dentist again to have the crown mounted on the abutment.

Depending on the type of dental work you need, you might have a bridge or dentures attached to the implant instead of a single crown if you get more than one implant. The end result is a natural-looking tooth that replaces a bad tooth or gap in your smile, so you can feel confident smiling and eating again.

To find out more, contact a company like Conestoga Oral Surgery.