Threading of dental implants
The first stage is the insertion of dental implants into the patient’s jaw. This stage is a surgical procedure during which a metal screw is inserted into the bone with a specially designed device. On average, one hour is required for threading one implant. After threading the implants, the patient’s gums are sutured and the next stage – healing – begins. The sutures are removed from the gums 7-10 days after the operation.
Attachment of the healing head
This procedure can be performed immediately after threading the implants, but only in cases where the implant is extremely stable in the bone immediately after screwing it in. In all other cases, the healing head is attached only after the implant has set.
The implantologist makes an incision in the gums to access the dental implant that has been left to heal. He screws the mounting head onto it.
Manufacturing of dental prostheses and fixing them on implants
Dental implants represent only the roots of the teeth, but in order for the patient to be able to chew food and enjoy a beautiful smile, dentures need to be attached to them. First of all, impressions of the teeth must be made. This is done when the gums are fully healed.
After removing the seals, dental crowns – prostheses – are made in a few days. Finally, they are attached to the implants. This is the last stage of dental implantation.
A bone augmentation procedure can extend the duration of dental implants
If the patient applies when part of her jaw bone tissue has already decayed, it may not be possible for him to carry out the implantation. However, in some cases where relatively little bone is missing, the patient may be offered a bone augmentation procedure. Of course, it requires additional investment. In addition, the bone augmentation procedure extends the duration of dental implantation by several months.
It is difficult to say in advance how long it will take a patient applying for dental implants to enjoy a new smile. It depends on the patient’s body, the number of implants and other factors. As a rule, the whole process of tooth restoration takes from three to six months (not counting those cases where bone augmentation is performed).
You should not be afraid of pain
Since it is a surgical procedure, some patients are afraid of it because of possible pain. Although painkillers are administered to the patient during the procedure itself, the discomfort that can be felt after any other dental treatment procedure will probably not be avoided. However, neither pain nor discomfort should be feared. The doctor will write a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection after the dental implant.
What to do if the dental implants did not fit?
There is a small (1-2 percent) risk that the dental implants will not fit in the patient’s jaw. The dentists of the “Garliavos Odontologija Centras” clinic located in Kaunas say that they almost always recover if detailed examinations were performed before the operation, and if the patient strictly follows the doctors’ instructions after the operation. However, if the implants do not fit, the procedure is repeated. In this case, the patient does not lose anything except time. The implant manufacturer provides a new implant free of charge, and the clinic undertakes to perform a repeat procedure free of charge.
