When you have a gap in your smile caused by a missing tooth, you likely feel so nervous about what people think that you try to avoid smiling or you cover your mouth with your hand when you smile. A tooth can fall out because of trauma to your mouth that caused serious injury to the tooth. You may need to have a dentist remove a tooth because of severe pain caused by an untreated cavity. With dental implants Chicago, patients like yourself can get their implants done in just a few simple appointments.
Consultation
The first appointment that you make is the consultation, which is especially important when you see a new dentist for the first time. This appointment lets the dentist take x-rays to see how your mouth looks and to check for any cavities that you need filled or for signs of gum disease. Your consultation also lets you talk with the dentist about why you want an implant and to ask questions about the procedure. The dentist can explain how long the process takes as well as the benefits of replacing a missing tooth with an implant.
Impressions
You will need to make an appointment to come in and have the dentist take an impression of your mouth. This impression focuses specifically on the missing tooth and allows the dentist to create a mold that fits that gap. The mold will allow the lab to make a replacement tooth that is the exact same size and shape as the missing tooth. This ensures that it fits comfortably in your mouth and that it will not stop you from eating or speaking.
Implants
Getting a dental implant requires a few other appointments too. One of those appointments allows the dentist to put the implant in your mouth. The implant is a small piece that almost looks like a screw because it has threading on the top. Once implanted in your jawbone, the dentist will give your jaw time to accommodate that implant and for the healing process to finish. You will then make an appointment to come in and have a permanent crown added to the implant, which covers your missing tooth. Some dentists will put a temporary crown on top of the implant first. It takes just a handful of appointments for your dentist to talk with you about the implant and to give you one.