The Dental Implant Surgical Procedure
Your dental implant procedure is a precise, comfortable experience that takes just 30 to 60 minutes for a single implant, or 2 to 3 hours if you’re receiving multiple implants. The number of appointments and time required vary based on your specific needs, but you can count on meticulous attention to every detail of your case.
Prior to surgery, you may receive antibiotics to prevent infection. For your greater comfort, you’ll have options including intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which will be discussed during your consultation appointment. A local anesthetic will be administered to completely numb the area where your dental implant will be placed.
Once you’re comfortable, your surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to reveal the bone, creates space using special instruments, and gently inserts the titanium implant. The top of this implant is often visible through the gum. Sometimes, for optimal healing in the early stages, the implant is covered by gum tissue.
Your Healing Journey
Now the healing begins. The length of time varies from person to person, depending upon the quality and quantity of your bone. In some cases, your implants may be restored immediately after placement. Your surgeon will advise you on follow-up care and timing specific to your situation.
After the initial phase of healing, your surgeon places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto your dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant.
Occasionally, impressions are made at the time your implant is placed. This enables your crown to be ready when the implants have healed. How long your mouth needs to heal is determined by various factors. Follow-up care, usually one to four appointments, ensures that your mouth is healing well and determines when you’re ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.
You may benefit from a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and natural appearing gum tissue around the implant. This process involves moving a small amount of gum tissue from one part of your mouth to the area around the implant. Most often, it’s a brief and relatively comfortable procedure.
Whether you’re replacing one tooth or all of your teeth, your dentist will complete the restoration by fitting the replacement tooth (crown) to your dental implant.
Timing Your Implant Placement
When Are Dental Implants Placed?
Your implants are often placed several months after extraction, allowing the site to heal properly. At times, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction of a tooth. This immediate placement simplifies the process, so you won’t have to wait for another appointment to place the implant. While this may involve slightly more risk, many patients appreciate the convenience. When infection or other problems with the bone are present, immediate implant placement is not the best treatment option.
If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent support bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink. This occurs because the root of the natural tooth must be present to stimulate the bone. As much as one third of your jaw’s thickness can be lost in the year following tooth extraction.
If you’re missing enough bone, you may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area. This ensures your implant will be adequately supported when it’s placed in the jaw. At Northwest Oral Surgeons, our team specializes in bone grafting procedures to prepare your jaw for successful implant placement.
How Many Implants Do You Need?
Most frequently, one implant per missing tooth is placed. Because many of the larger teeth in the back of your jaws have two or three roots, the most common approach is to replace missing back teeth with larger implants. Your oral surgeon will evaluate your specific situation and recommend the optimal number and placement of implants for your long-term success.
Experience Advanced Implant Care in Schererville
At Northwest Oral Surgeons, you benefit from our expertise in complex implant rehabilitation and immediate implant placement. Our team uses advanced 3D imaging technology to plan your procedure with precision, ensuring the best possible outcome for your new smile.
