If you encounter an accident or a sports injury that causes you to lose several teeth, you may be presented with several dental treatment options for missing teeth. These include dental bridges, dentures and dental implants. Out of these options, dental implants are the most realistic, but they are expensive. If you choose them, this is what you can expect.

Dental Examination

Your dentist will examine your teeth and jawbone to verify that it is possible to install dental implants without any complications and that they are the most effective choice among the options given.

Also, expect the dentist to request blood tests to ensure you don't have any underlying conditions that might interfere with the dental implant procedure.

Dental Implant Procedure

Note that you require at least two surgeries. Dental implants are drilled into your jawbone during the first surgery. Based on how many dental implants are being installed, you might be put to sleep (placed under general anaesthesia) or be numbed via an injection. The latter is done when only one or two dental implants are being placed. On the other hand, you are placed under general anaesthesia if you need multiple dental implants placed.

After the first surgery, you require some healing time, which depending on how quickly you heal, can be between two to four months. Your dentist will be monitoring you regularly to ensure you are healing okay. Your dentist is also responsible for informing you when the second surgery will be done.

During the second surgery, abutments that form the attachment place for artificial crowns are attached to the dental implants that were installed during the first surgery. The dentist may also attach artificial crowns during this surgery. You also need healing time after the second surgery, which can be between a few weeks to a month or two.

From the above, you can tell that a dental implant procedure can take at least four to five months to complete. Sometimes, it can take up to nine months, but this depends on each person (whether initial surgeries are required to prepare your jaws for dental implants and how fast you heal).

How Do You Eat During Healing?

Your dentist may attach a denture that is supported by implants; it is referred to as an implant denture. Don't expect your diet to remain the same; since you are healing, your diet comprises of soft food until you heal completely.

To learn more about denture implants, talk to a dentist.