What Is Osseointegration?
If you are preparing to get a dental implant, you should realize that the process will take time. This is not a procedure you can typically get all at once. Instead, your dentist will complete the process in stages, and the first stage is placing the implant into your jawbone. Once this is completed, you will need to wait for the process of osseointegration to complete. here are several things to understand about this process.
What Is It?
Osseointegration is a common term used with dental implants, and it refers to the process of the implant and jawbone fusing together in a way that makes the two things become one. This process is not something that happens overnight. Instead, it may take months for this to occur, but it is one of the most important steps in the process. Because of this, your dentist will not move on to the next step until he or she is certain that the two parts are completely fused together.
Why Is Osseointegration Important?
The process of osseointegration is what makes an implant so strong. When these two parts merge together to become one, they form a solid, strong bond. This strong bond allows the implant to act in the same way as natural tooth roots, and this is important as it will be the part that holds your artificial tooth in place. If this process is not completely finished when the rest of the procedure is completed, there is a bigger risk that the implant will fall out or come loose.
What Happens When This Is Finished?
To determine if the process of osseointegration is completed, your dentist will most likely take X-rays and examine them closely. If it appears that your jawbone and the implant have fused together, your dentist will be able to complete the rest of the steps of the process for the implant. The next step involves placing the abutment, which is a tiny post made of titanium, into the implant. The abutment is there to connect the implant to the tooth, and placing the tooth on the abutment is the final step of the procedure.
If you are interested in replacing a missing tooth with an implant, you will need to schedule a preliminary visit with a dentist. This visit will allow you to learn more about the process and ask questions if you have any. Contact a dental clinic today to schedule a visit.
Share