You shouldn’t have to live with missing teeth for another second. Dental implants are the “Gold Standard” in tooth replacement technology because they offer a permanent, durable, and natural solution to lost teeth.
If you’re considering dental implants, here’s what you should know about the dental implant surgery process.
Step 1: Consultation and Treatment Plan
Before any oral surgery can begin, you will sit down with your dentist for a comprehensive consultation and treatment planning session. Your dentist will use this appointment to take x-rays and impressions, carefully examine your mouth, and discuss your potential reconstruction options.
It’s during this step that your dentist will also determine whether you need any pre-implant procedures, such as extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting. These preparatory procedures improve the health of your mouth to give you the best chances of implant success.
Once your dentist has all of the information he needs, he’ll create a treatment plan and timeline for your implant procedure.
Step 2: Preparation Procedures
Not all implant patients need to undergo preparation procedures, but these are the most common forms of dental implant surgery prep:
- Tooth extractions remove old, damaged, or decaying teeth to make room for implants
- Bone grafting strengthens and thickens your jawbone to help the implants remain firmly in place
- Gum disease treatment addresses gingivitis and periodontal disease to ensure your gum tissue is healthy enough to receive implants
Tooth extractions are relatively quick and require about 10 days of healing. Bone grafting, on the other hand, is a serious oral surgery procedure that may require up to 12 months of healing before implant surgery can begin.
Step 3: Dental Implant Surgery Placement
One your mouth is completely healed and ready to receive implants, you’ll return to your dentist for dental implant surgery. This is actually the fastest part of the process! It only takes a few hours for your dentist to insert the titanium implants into your jawbone. Thanks to anesthesia, you won’t feel any pain at all. The exact length of your procedure depends on the number of implants you receive.
Since your crowns can’t be fitted until the implants fuse with your jawbone, your dentist may recommend a temporary denture or bridge during your healing process. This eliminates the need to go without teeth while osseointegration occurs.
Implant surgery involves a strict recovery period. It’s critical to adhere to all of your dentist’s instructions during this time. Ignoring recovery guidelines may compromise your new implants or cause them to fail altogether.
You can expect the following side effects after implant surgery:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Discomfort
- Swelling
- Fever
These are completely normal reactions, and they typically diminish over the first few days with the help of rest and pain medication. Complete healing takes a few months, but you won’t continue to feel pain and discomfort as long as you follow your dentist’s recovery instructions.
Your dentist will recommend many tips and techniques for healing, including:
- Do not smoke, as nicotine constricts vessels and prevents blood from flowing into soft tissue to provide oxygen and nutrients for healing
- Maintain consistent oral hygiene
- Eat soft foods
- Limit physical activity
- Return for a post-op visit 1-2 weeks after treatment
Step 4: Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the process of jawbone fusing with each titanium implant. Since the material of the implant is biocompatible, bone can grow into it and accept it as a permanent part of the body. This is exactly what sets dental implants apart from other tooth replacement options.
Keep in mind that osseointegration isn’t fast. It takes three to six months on average, but the upper jawbone may take as long as seven months. As soon as osseointegration is complete, your dentist will place a healing collar in your mouth for about two weeks. A healing collar is a piece of round metal that prevents your gums from growing over the implant.
Osseointegration is vital to implant success. Each titanium screw implanted into your gums replaces lost tooth roots. This provides a solid base for your new crowns and offers ongoing stimulation to the jawbone.
Step 5: Abutment and Crown Placement
After Steps 1-4 are complete, it’s finally time for the most exciting part: receiving your crowns that mimic the look, feel, and function of real teeth.
Crowns can be placed in a few different ways. If you only received one or two implants, your crowns will be attached directly to each implant and customized to match the shade of neighboring teeth. If you are using implant-supported dentures or a full bridge, your prosthetic will be applied in one sitting.
Finding Your Dental Implant Specialist
Many dentists claim to specialize in dental implants, but some lack the training and experience to give you superior, reliable results. It’s important to find a dentist who is recognized as an industry leader in dental implant treatment and technology.
At Encinitas Family Dentistry, Dr. Gregory Skeens is committed to providing the highest standards of care to all of his patients. He uses state-of-the-art technology and procedures to deliver beautiful, long-lasting smiles with dental implants.
Call Encinitas Family Dentistry today or request an appointment online to begin your implant journey to a healthier, happier mouth.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES AT ENCINITAS FAMILY DENTISTRY
At our core, Encinitas Dentistry is a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile. How we accomplish that goal is what makes us stand out. We mingle time-tested approaches to oral care with state-of-the-art technology and procedures to deliver beautiful, long-lasting smiles!