Why is the 4-Step Dental Implant Timeline Necessary?

Louisville, KY

Our dental practice joins many others in calling dental implants the revolutionary and preferred way to replace missing teeth and restore a smile. But sometimes, patients want results in a hurry, and the 4-step implant process — which can take months to complete — may seem like an eternity. Is the 4-step dental implant timeline really necessary?

At Exceptional Dentistry, we share in your excitement to restore your smile, and we don’t want you to be discouraged by the timeline. So today, our implant dentist in Louisville is explaining in detail why the 4-step implant process is necessary. We think it will help you better understand how the process sets you up for success from the very first day.

What is the 4-step tooth implant process?

Step 1 — Initial consultation and planning

Before we can start the implant process in earnest, we need a game plan, so on your first visit, our Jeffersonville implant dentist will:

• Examine your teeth, gums and other soft tissue in the mouth.
• Discuss your medical history and overall oral health goals.
• Take x-rays and/or digital 3D imaging to assess jawbone density and determine the implant site.

The overall success of your implants depends largely on this initial consult and the resulting personalized planning. We have to take into consideration factors like jawbone health, gum condition, overall oral hygiene and even lifestyle habits like tobacco use to determine if you’re a good candidate for implants.

Step 2 — Implant placement

This is when things get real! With a treatment plan finalized and in hand, our cosmetic dentist in Louisville will surgically insert the implant — a small, titanium post — into the jawbone. This post, once fused, will serve as a permanent, stable tooth root to hold a custom crown (the natural-looking tooth that people will eventually see).

Step 3 — Osseintegration

As the jawbone begins to heal, it fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. This can take anywhere from three to six months and is necessary to become a permanent part of your bone structure so it can provide the strong, stable, long-term foundation needed to hold a replacement tooth.

This step takes the longest amount of time but is the most critical in the process because, without proper healing, the implant won’t bond correctly, increasing the risk of future failure.

Step 4 — Crown placement

This is the step you’ve spent months waiting for — the completion of your transformation! As healing and osseointegration were occurring, our Jeffersonville cosmetic dentist was crafting a custom crown that matches your other teeth in color, size and shape. It is attached to the implant with an abutment. This crown allows you to chew and speak comfortably and creates a natural-looking, seamless smile.

Dental implants in Louisville and Jeffersonville, KY

Each step of the implant process is critically important and ensures that your implant succeeds. The 4-step process takes time, of course, but in the end, it’s worth it! If you’re missing a tooth (or more) and you’re interested in learning more about implants, call Exceptional Dentistry at 888-918-3336, or reach out to us online today.