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Dental implants have been at the forefront of many news media outlets, and have been frequently talked about on the internet in many different places. Dental implant surgery and the process of getting dental implants is not so often discussed though, and many people thus have some misconceptions about dental implant surgery. Although this is an invasive oral surgical procedure, there is no reason to not talk about it, as it is a routine procedure with a very high (estimated at 98%) rate of success, which can be further honed by good oral hygiene and an expert dental implantologists. Here is what you need to know about dental implant surgery.
The process
The process of getting dental implants is pretty straightforward. After the dentist has determined that you are eligible for them (more on that below), you simply need to sit in for a 60 to 90 minute procedure. During this procedure you will be awake, as dental implant surgery does not require you to go under. The dentist will open the area and insert the dental implant into the jawbone, and then sew up the gums above it. This area will then be allowed to heal for a couple of months, before you have to come back for the next phase of dental implant surgery, which involves getting an abutment and a temporary crown.
Disqualifying factors
There are some factors that can disqualify you from getting dental implant surgery. Diabetes, osteoporosis, and other systemic diseases that can cause the rapid deterioration of the jawbones and their density are disqualifying factors. Blood related illnesses, like HIV/AIDS and haemophilia are also disqualifying factors from most surgeries, for very obvious reasons. If your bones are not dense enough and may fracture from the actual dental implant surgery, then you need some preliminary treatments (bone grafts in particular), and cannot get dental implants. Finally, certain medications, like bisphosphonates and other ones that affect the health of the jawbones can also disqualify you from getting dental implants.
