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So you’ve taken the time to find out exactly what dental implants are and what benefits you will experience should you choose to replace your missing teeth with them. You’ve also found the right dental implant provider for your needs. Now, you are probably interested in the process. Before speaking to us, many patients are hesitant about the implant process, thinking that it must be very complicated and even painful. However, we are happy to say that this isn’t the case. In fact, the implant process is very straightforward and can be broken down into four easy steps, with one optional step should your case require it. We encourage you to read on to learn more about the implant process with Dr. Ted Herrmann at Assure a Smile and what each step entails.
The First Stage: Consultation
The first step to completing your smile using dental implants is to schedule a no-obligation consultation with holistic dentist Dr. Herrmann at our Miami, FL area office. During this consultation, the doctor will thoroughly examine your oral health, gathering data on your overall condition to determine your candidacy for dental implants. He will also discuss your smile goals and what kind of results you are looking for. With this consultation, Dr. Herrmann will be able to develop a treatment plan that will cover the entirety of your time at our office. At this point, Dr. Herrmann may recommend that you pursue a supplemental treatment before moving forward with the implant process.
Optional Stage: Supplemental Treatment
Some patients do not possess a jawbone or gums that are healthy enough to support treatment with dental implants right away. However, suffering from problems like jawbone deterioration or gum recession doesn’t necessarily mean that you are forever barred from treatment with dental implants. Fortunately, these patients can receive treatment with bone grafting or soft tissue augmentation, both of which can restore these structure, allowing them to continue with the dental implant process.
The Second Stage: Implant Placement
Once your mouth is ready, you will be able to have your dental implants placed. You will move forward with the implant placement surgery, during which an implant fixture is inserted into your jawbone, taking the place of your missing tooth’s root. Once in position, the area will be stitched up to allow for healing. At this point, Dr. Herrmann may choose to attach an abutment and temporary replacement tooth to your implant fixture, though it is not uncommon for him to wait until after the recovery period before placing either of these parts.
The Third Stage: Recovery
Once your implant fixture is in place, it will need three to six months of time to heal. This period is very important to the implant process because this is when osseointegration occurs. Osseointegration is a biological process where your jawbone regenerates itself, creating new bone tissue that fuses to the surface of the implant fixture. This new tissue also threads itself through small holes in the surface of the implant fixture, working to pull it permanently into place. It is thanks to osseointegration that dental implants are provided with their many unique benefits.
The Final Stage: Restoration
Once your implant fixture has had enough time to heal and properly osseointegrate, you will be able to return to our office to have your restoration placed. At this point, an abutment will also be attached to your implant fixture if it wasn’t placed directly following your implant’s placement. We provide three main types of restoration for our patients pursuing dental implants. These are porcelain crowns, for single missing teeth, and bridges and overdentures, for patients who are missing more than one tooth. Regardless of which type of restoration you move forward with, it will be custom-made specifically for you based on scans we will take of your remaining natural teeth. This allows us to provide replacement teeth that fit in perfectly with your natural teeth, making them indistinguishable to outside observers.
Begin the Dental Implant Process Today
Are you sick and tired of your missing teeth and are ready to move forward with restoring those teeth using dental implants? Then it is time to schedule your dental implant consultation to begin the process. If you would like to meet with holistic dentist Dr. Ted Herrmann to discuss your dental implant treatment, please contact our office and schedule an appointment today. We also encourage you to check out our great financing options.
