Dental implantation is the ultimate solution for people whose dental condition has reached the point of no return, requiring comprehensive prosthetic care. It is usually performed in a process consisting of three main stages: placement of the implants, uncovering of the implants, and installation of permanent teeth.
In this article, we focus on the second stage, uncovering the implants. We will explain how this is performed and try to make the process understandable so that you know exactly what is going to happen.
Before we describe the implant uncovering process, we will briefly review what happens just before.
The implant is effectively designed to replace the root of the damaged or missing teeth. This is true both in the case of multiple teeth and in the case of a single tooth.
In the first stage, in which the implants are introduced, the dentist will screw the implant, in most cases made of titanium, into the jawbone, to form a strong base – a strong root onto which the crown will eventually be fitted.
After this, the main thing is to wait.
The waiting period, ranging from three to six months, allows the implant time to penetrate into and integrate with the jawbone.
In addition, the whole area heals and recovers, making it possible to proceed to the next stage – installing permanent teeth – under optimal conditions.
Meanwhile, the patient is given temporary teeth, that function well, and resumes his full routine.
When the recovery stage ends, the patient visits the dentist for implant uncovering.
The aim of uncovering is to expose the implant above the gums. An implant that is well integrated in the bone may be covered by gum tissue.
The dentist makes an incision in the gum tissue, uncovering the implant, or makes a small perforation through which the implant protrudes from the gums, ready for installation of the anchors on which the crowns, i.e., the new temporary teeth, are fitted.
After the implants have been uncovered, a healing abutment is fitted to the implant, which helps the gums heal and allows them to heal without covering the implant.
When the healing abutment has been fitted to the implant in an optimal manner, the dentist will put the temporary teeth back in place.
Essentially, the process of implant integration into the bone, the recovery time, and the total time for oral rehabilitation, depend on multiple factors – genetic, health-related, and others.
Therefore, there is no single time frame or protocol for all patients.
Each case requires specific tailoring and personalized treatment. In certain cases, the implants do not undergo uptake in the first attempt and are rejected due to inflammation or infection.
In such a situation, the dentist will extract the implant from the bone, allow healing, and then attempt to implant it again, because there is a better chance of implantation to succeed in healthy bone.
Of course, repeat rehabilitation and implantation may also result in additional costs, in accordance with the initial agreement with the clinic.
And what’s the next stage? New teeth!
If everything works out as planned, a few weeks after implant uncovering, the dentist will install the permanent teeth on the implants.
At times, further fitting of the teeth is necessary to make sure that they are exactly the right size, shape, and color for the patient’s mouth. The final fitting process varies from one patient to the next, and although it may sometimes take time, it is worth being patient to achieve a perfect set of teeth in the end, in terms of appearance, health and comfort.
Dr. Balan’s chain of clinics offers you dental implants that save you time and pain, reduce the trauma that the mouth has to go through and help you to get back to your routine easily and quickly.
