What Is Dental Implant Uncovering?
A dental implant is a type of restorative dentistry that replaces missing or broken teeth; it helps restore your smile and protect your oral health. But, what many people do not know is that the implant process is a two-step treatment that involves uncovering.
What is uncovering, and what are implants in the first place? We will answer these questions and provide more helpful information in our blog post.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are permanent, natural-looking teeth that are designed to replace missing or broken teeth.
Three parts form an implant:
- A titanium post secured to the jaw bone
- An abutment or cover screw that connects the post to the crown
- A crown that is specially designed and fabricated in a lab to match the shape and color of the patient's missing tooth
Implants are a durable and permanent solution to broken or missing teeth.
The Implant Placement Process
The implant process is a simple, two-stage procedure that is done with local anesthesia. The first stage involves extraction and implant placement. The second stage involves implant uncovering and crown placement.
To help you get a better understanding of what implant uncovering is, we will explain the entire implant placement process from beginning to end.
First Stage Surgery
1. Extraction
First, the general dentist extracts the broken or dead tooth at the implant site. The extraction procedure is relatively fast and easy. Many patients barely notice that their teeth are gone until after the procedure is completed.
Jaw bone integrity is critical to the success of implant placement because the implant is attached to the bone. So, if there is bone loss, bone grafts will need to be performed at this stage. A bone graft is a procedure that uses pieces of transplanted bone to repair dead or damaged bone. The procedure will create a sturdy foundation for new implants.
If the patient is already missing the tooth, the dentist will place the implant first.
2. Implant Placement
Next, the titanium post is placed. The titanium post, also called the abutment, is the part that connects the implant with the jaw bone. The abutment is responsible for holding the implant securely in place.The implant is inserted into the jaw bone beneath the gum tissue. The implant cover screws onto the post as a recovery measure. The gum tissue is then stitched over the healing cap to encourage healing. As the tissue heals, the implant will bond to the bond and attach to the gum tissue.
3. At-Home Recovery
Once the surgery is complete, the dentist sends the patient home to rest. The patient will receive a prescription and some helpful care instructions to ensure that their tissue heals properly.
During the healing process, patients will likely notice that their gums will heal over the healing cap—this is meant to happen. Having the gums heal over the healing caps will ensure that the implant looks natural and real when placed.
Healing time can be anywhere from several weeks to several months.
4. Follow Up Appointment
After several weeks, the patient will visit the dentist for a follow-up appointment. The dentist will evaluate the site of the surgery to ensure that it is healthy and everything went well. Once the dentist has confirmed that the healing cap has healed properly, they schedule an appointment for the second-stage surgery. In some cases, the follow-up appointment and final restoration will occur during the same visit to the dentist.Second Stage Surgery
1. Dental Implant Uncovering
To attach the abutment, the implant and the healing cap need to be uncovered. The general dentist uncovers both using a special technique. The dentist can uncover the cap either by cutting back the tissue with a scalpel, diode laser, or tissue punch. Removing the tissue is easy and painless, no matter what technique the Dr chooses.
2. The Healing Abutments are Attached
Next, the dentist attaches the healing abutment to the implant. The abutment is the piece that connects the artificial tooth to the implant. The abutment is attached by screwing onto the uncovered implant.
2. The Fake Tooth is Attached
The final step in the procedure is to place the fake tooth or crown in position. Crowns are designed and fabricated in a lab to match the shape and color of the patient's teeth. This way, the crown is nearly indistinguishable from their other teeth.
The dentist screws the fake tooth onto the healing abutment. The healing abutment will hold it firmly in place, connecting it to the post that acts as a makeshift root. The final restoration is complete and the patient's tissue will heal in several weeks.
Dental Implant Placement in Orangeville
Do you still have questions about the uncovering procedure? Contact our office today to learn more about the dental implant procedure. A helpful person on our team can answer any questions and help you access the services you need. At Tooth Buds Dentistry, we are dedicated to protecting your health and helping you smile with confidence.
Dr. Prabhdeep Kaur, a General Dentist, has been enriching the field of dentistry with her expertise for over 13 years, having obtained her license in Canada in 2015. A holder of a BDS degree, Dr. Kaur’s proficiency spans a wide array of dental services, including General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Wisdom Teeth Extractions, Invisalign, and more. Her commitment to her craft is further evidenced by her memberships in prestigious organizations like the Ontario Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
Renowned for her patient-focused approach, Dr. Kaur emphasizes the importance of listening and customizing treatments to meet individual needs, viewing dentistry not only as a science but also as an art form dedicated to enhancing and restoring smiles. Her dedication to ongoing education ensures she remains at the cutting edge of dental advancements.
Outside her professional life, Dr. Kaur enjoys family time, travel, and cinema, adding a relatable and approachable dimension to her persona. She is passionate about delivering professional and quality dental care, driven by her desire to connect with people and address their dental needs effectively.
Dr. Kaur’s journey in dentistry serves as an inspiration for aspiring dental professionals, advocating determination, motivation, and enjoyment in their work. Follow her journey and professional updates on Instagram @drprabh84, where she continues to inspire both her patients and peers in the dental community.
