Have you decided to get rid of all of your rotten teeth and want to replace them in a timely manner? Dental implants are the ideal solution because they look and function just like natural teeth. You won't have to do anything special to keep dental implants in a good condition other than keeping them brushed like your natural teeth. Take a look at the article below to find out what happens during the dental implants procedure.

The Examination

One of the things that must be done before dental implants are installed is an examination of your overall oral health. Your gums will be inspected to determine if they are infected with periodontal disease. The dentist will also examine the enamel of your teeth in case the ones that are being left inside of your gums have cavities or not. An x-ray will be done to determine the condition of your jawbones, which is the most important aspect of the examination because it determines if your jaw will be able to hold the dental implants in place.

Treatment Before Dental Implant Installation

Treatment that is done before dental implants are installed will depend on your specific condition. If periodontal disease was discovered during the examination, you will have to take antibiotics to clear the infection up. If the disease led to jawbone weakness, you might have to undergo bone grafting before dental implants can be installed. Bone grafting is done to replace your weak jawbones with strong ones that are taken from your body, but can also come from a cadaver, animal or be artificial. You might also need to undergo a root canal to get rid of infected pulp if an abscess is present.

The Dental Implant Procedure

To begin the dental implant procedure, you will be sedated with local or general anesthesia so you won't feel pain during the installation process. The dentist will then have to drill a hole in your jawbone to install the dental implants. The implants are simply metal posts that will be screwed inside of your jawbones to become the roots of the artificial teeth that you are getting installed. After so many weeks, which can vary between each individual, the jawbones will grow around the metal posts to make them more secure. The dentist will then attach abutments and the artificial teeth, which will result in you having a natural looking smile.