In most cases, you can have a brand-new smile in just one surgical visit. Additional procedures, such as bone grafting, may be necessary for some patients before a dental implant can be placed — but a dental implant can usually be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction. This immediately preserves bone loss and oral function at the location of the extracted tooth.
The treatment process for dental implants is a collaborative effort — you, your oral surgeon, and your dentist will all work together to provide an optimal result. The dental implant procedure begins with a consultation with Dr. Brar where he will perform a complete oral examination, review your health history, take additional imaging if necessary, and create your personalized treatment plan. During the consultation, your anesthesia options (such as IV sedation) will be discussed as well. Oral surgeons such as Dr. Brar are highly trained in the administration of anesthesia and will discuss your options with you. On the day of your consultation, we will send you home with pre- and post-operative instructions. For an easy recovery and to reduce the risk of complications, it is important that you review these instructions carefully.
The day of your surgery at North Sound Oral and Facial Surgery will begin with plenty of time for you to feel at ease about your dental implant procedure and have any remaining questions answered. When it’s time, the anesthesia you decided upon with Dr. Brar during your consultation will be administered, and your surgery will begin. The titanium post (also called the screw) will be inserted into your jaw where it will fuse with the bone over time to become a stable, permanent foundation for your crown. Stitches will be used to close the surgical site. After the procedure, you will rest until the anesthesia wears off. At this time your designated driver will drive you home. Now, the healing period of the process begins.
During the healing period, the post will fuse with your jaw bone, a process called osseointegration. This process takes about three to six months. A temporary prosthesis may be worn during this time. Once the site has healed, and your implant post is secure in the jaw bone, the connecting abutment is attached to the post, and the custom-made crown prepared by your restorative dentist will be placed on top. This healing time doesn’t mean you can’t chew right away — you can! The three-to-six-month recovery period allows extra time for the implants to be strong enough to endure full chewing forces. You can get back to your regular routine within a few days of surgery — just avoid chewing hard foods around the implant site.
Because the implant post is placed directly into the jaw bone and integrates with the rest of the bone over time, dental implants are the most secure and healthy tooth replacement option. This fusion with the jaw bone allows stimulation to occur in the jaw when you chew, which helps to protect you from further bone loss. Once each piece of the tooth restoration has been placed, you can feel confident in your new, long-lasting smile and will be able to comfortably eat your favorite foods again.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch of teeth. We encourage you to contact our office to schedule a consultation if you are interested in discovering if dental implants are the best tooth replacement option for you. Please give our office a call or request an appointment by filling out our online form.