General & Cosmetic Dentistry
Fax: (513)931-0027
Cincinnati, OH 45231
Cincinnati Dental Implant Procedures
What exactly is an implant?
A natural tooth has a crown - the part which shows above the gumline, and a root - the anchor hidden below the gumline.
When a tooth is missing, a dental implant takes the place of the missing root and a prosthetic crown replaces the natural crown.
The Implant Procedure The implant procedure is the same whether one or all teeth are missing. In this example, there is only one missing upper tooth. For the purpose of demonstation we will assume the patient is healthy and is a candidate for this procedure.
Implant Site Preparation The gum tissue is opened to expose the bone area where the implant will be placed. In situations where there is insufficient bone structure, bone grafting may be a recommended procedure.
Once healthy bone material has been established, a special drill is used to prepare the bone to receive the implant.
Placing the Implant After the bone has been prepared, the implant is placed and the tissue is sutured.
The Healing Process - Osseointegration The healing process takes three to six months. This is the amount of time it usually takes the implant to become part of the lower jaw, commonly refered to as osseointegration.
The sutures are typically removed seven to fourteen days after surgery.
After the implant has integrated (fused to the bone), an impression is taken to record the position of the implant.
Then an abutment is fabricated and attaches to the implant. The abutment is then the support for a crown. Abutments can be made of gold, titanium or even a strong porcelain like material called zirconium. The material for the abutment is dependant on the particular situation.
After the abutment is secured to the implant a crown is cemented onto the abutment. The crown is made and shaded to look like your real teeth.
