Dental Implants

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months. This type of procedure can be performed with a local anesthetic. Sedation and general anesthesia are also an option. This will be discussed with you at your initial consult. For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves a few phases.

• Phase 1: To have the implant placed, the surgeon will evaluate whether enough bone is present for the implant to be placed. This generally can be seen using a cone-beam tomography (CBCT), a high-resolution radiograph. If there is not enough bone present, your surgeon may have to perform an additional procedure to add bone to the area before implant placement. The implant will be placed into the jawbone if enough bone is present. For the first 3-4 months following surgery, the implant integrates (fuses) with the jawbone. Although you should be able to wear your temporary prosthesis or denture (if applicable), during the healing time,
• Phase 2: Once the implant has integrated into the jawbone, the second phase can begin. This phase is when the implant is uncovered. Generally performed under a local anesthetic, your dentist will uncover the implant and attach a small post (healing abutment), which acts as an anchor for the prosthesis (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture). These posts protrude through the gum tissue. After a healing period, your dentist fits the artificial tooth (crown or bridge) to the post. The post will not be seen as the tooth will cover it.

• Bite firmly on the gauze pad covering the grafted site to help stop the bleeding. We will change the gauze before you leave the office. You may need to change the gauze pads once more at home, leaving it in for an additional 30 minutes.
• You may have difficulty feeling your lips, cheeks, or tongue due to numbness. This is a temporary feeling and will wear off within 2-4hrs. Please take care not to bite your lips, cheeks, or gums.
• Apply ice packs to your face to reduce swelling for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Take pain medication as prescribed as soon as possible.
• Do not rinse or spit the day of surgery, which may prolong the bleeding.
• DO NOT disturb or touch the wound.
• DO NOT apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is moveable during the initial healing phase.
• If a corner of the membrane does become exposed, please do not touch or pick at it. Generally, the exposed portion will fall off on its own.
• Avoid chewing or creating pressure on the graft site.

Although dental bridges and dentures have proven to be effective for replacing missing teeth, there are some drawbacks to those procedures that dental implants can overcome. Dental implants improve upon traditional teeth replacement in several ways, including:

• No maintenance is required other than routine oral cleaning habits
• Can improve biting, chewing, and speaking
• No slippage
• No need to grind down adjacent teeth to accommodate a dental bridge
• Improves the appearance of the teeth with results that look natural
• It feels like your natural tooth
• Permanent alternative to dentures