DENTAL IMPLANTS

What to Expect During Your Dental Implant Procedure

Getting dental implants can seem daunting, but our supportive team clearly and openly communicates with you through every stage of your treatment so you always know what to expect and have the information you need to take the best care of your teeth. While we understand every patient is different, the dental implant process generally involves the following steps:

Examination

Before the procedure, we closely evaluate your teeth, gums, and jaw to determine if you are a strong candidate for dental implants. Your jawbone health will help us determine the best procedure for your condition. We may also choose the type of restoration that will replace your tooth and the sedation needed based on your personal preferences, health history, and current medications.

Procedure

If you qualify for dental implants, we will proceed with the procedure. During the procedure, you can anticipate the following:

• Anesthesia: You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the affected area. If you opt for another type of sedation, you will receive that as well to ensure a painless procedure.
• Damaged tooth removal: If you have remaining pieces of damaged tooth, we will remove them before placing the implant.
• Incision: Once you feel comfortable, we will make an incision in your gums where the implant will go, exposing the jawbone underneath, which serves as the foundation for the implant.
• Jaw preparation: We create an opening in the jaw bone wide enough for the dental implant.
• Implant placement: When the opening is wide enough, we carefully place the implant into the jaw.
• Close incision: We reposition your gums over the area and close the incision with stitches.
• Restoration: Depending on your unique situation, we may place your restoration over your implant right away or place a temporary one until your implant heals.

Recovery

We want your dental implants to last as long as possible, so our team provides clear instructions and expectations for your recovery. Generally, patients may return to their usual activities in about three days, but it often takes months for your jawbone to fuse with the implant, which is critical for its success and stability. To alleviate soreness you may experience after the procedure, you can take the following actions:

• Take all prescribed medications and over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
• Avoid heavy lifting, exercising, or activities that elevate your heart rate.
• Keep your mouth clean to prevent infection.
• Rinse with a saltwater solution instead of peroxide or mouthwash.
• Clean the site as directed, but do not disturb or touch it.
• Chew on the other side of your mouth or only eat soft foods for a few days if you have implants on both sides.
• Avoid hot or crunchy foods to prevent damage to the implant.

Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection. Throughout your recovery, you will have follow-up appointments to check in on your progress. Once healed, you can care for them like normal teeth by brushing, flossing, and getting regular cleanings.