What to Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure (2023)

FAQs

What is the step by step process for getting dental implants? ›

Implants Fuse Together with Bone

However, many people don't realize that the reason why dental implants prevent bone loss is that they fuse together with the bone. When the implant gets placed, it stimulates bone growth. The bone then grows around the implant and fuses together.

The Dental Implant process is basically a three phase process, which can be different for each person. Typically the entire process takes from 5 to 8 months. As you will see, this is a little different for people getting full mouth dentures. The process can be faster for those getting a whole new set of teeth!

In general, there are three steps involved in the dental implant procedures. First, the implant itself is placed into the jawbone. Next, the abutment is added to the implant, which is where the artificial tooth will be connected. Finally, the prosthetic tooth, or crown, is placed onto the abutment.

A straightforward dental implant, for a patient with good bones and who does not need a lot of soft tissue surgery, has a pain level between two and three in the first 24 to 48 hours, which means over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil will take care of any discomfort they are feeling.

According to the International Congress of Oral Implantologists it is rare that your body will reject your dental implants. However, this does not mean that your dental implant will not fail. A successful dental implant is one that is placed in healthy bone and is properly cared for after the surgery takes place.

No one will ever be able to tell that you have a dental implant rather than your natural tooth. Implants are also the most reliable treatment for tooth replacement, boasting a 95% success rate. They are made from high quality, durable, and long lasting materials.

Most patients begin to experience significant improvements in their gums within a week of surgery, and their gums will be completely healed within 2 weeks of their treatment. You'll usually schedule a follow-up with Dr.

During the All-on-4 procedure, a dentist can place implants and attach a temporary denture to them in a single day. A permanent denture is attached a few months later. For other implant procedures, there is usually a healing period of a few months after the placement surgery before any restorations are attached.

Can you get a temporary tooth while waiting for an implant? ›

There are many options for temporary tooth replacement while you wait for your implant post to heal and your bone to integrate with it. If you have any questions about how dental implants work, or if you are a viable candidate for the procedure, speak to our expert dentist.

The dental implant procedure usually involves two visits to the dentist, but some implants only require one visit. During the first visit, you will be given pain medication or antibiotics before the procedure begins. If you are nervous about the procedure, your dentist can give you a sedative.

Dental implant surgery is not complicated or dangerous

Some people may think that because dental implant surgery involves implanting a prosthesis into the bone of the jaw, it is a complicated procedure. However, dental implant surgery is a routine procedure performed by thousands of dentists.

Dental implants are surgically embedded into the jawbone. While surgical procedures may bring about the idea of a patient being fully unconscious, dental implants are only minor surgery. They don't require complete sedation for treatment to be comfortable.

You will feel no discomfort, as the area is entirely anesthetized. After making the area more accessible, a hole can be drilled for the implant. While drills might also sound painful, your jawbone has no nerves to feel any pain. The most discomfort you could feel is pressure.

Typically, it takes about one week for patients to return to regular eating habits after dental implant surgery. But if you are a fast healer, you may be able to return to some solid (but not firm or crunchy) foods 24 – 48 hours after surgery. Food consumed during healing should still be easy to chew.

Patients can be informed that, in general, implant placement surgical experience is less unpleasant compared to tooth extraction with less postsurgical pain and limitation of daily activities. However, some factors can increase the pain intensity and discomfort level on individual bases.

Yes, most patients are put to sleep for dental implants because the procedure is so invasive. However, if you're just having one or two implants placed, a local anesthetic may be sufficient. A local anesthetic will temporarily numb the area, so although you're awake during the procedure, you won't feel a thing.

As with any dental surgery, you may have some discomfort during healing from one or all stages of the implant process. Side effects that are normal and expected include swelling around the gums and in your face, slight bruising, pain at the implant site, and minor bleeding.

The daily care of dental implants is very similar to the care of natural teeth. Restored dental implants should be kept clean and plaque free twice a day using a brush and floss. Cleaning is especially important after meals. This is accomplished by gently brushing, giving special attention to all sides of the implant.

What percentage of dental implants are successful? ›

Studies have shown a success rate of over 95% for the implant restoration process. Furthermore, they're the only tooth replacement option that actually helps stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss. Getting dental implants as soon as possible after losing a tooth helps prevent bone loss at the site.

Average Implant Failure Rate

Studies have shown that somewhere between 5% and 10% of dental implants fail. On the other hand, that means that there is between a 90% and 95% success rate, which are very good odds in terms of dental and medical procedures.

But not everyone is a viable candidate for implants, and ironically the reason most often has to do with the bone. If a patient has suffered significant bone volume loss, either because of disease or the long-term absence of the natural teeth, there may not be enough bone to properly support an implant.

Many dentists agree that it's best to place a dental implant within a few months of extraction. That will give your mouth time to heal and strengthen. Bone grafting, if needed, can also be performed during this period.

The majority of metal detectors used by the TSA work by creating an electromagnetic field, which sets off an alarm when it detects any nearby magnetic metals. In most cases, modern dental implants are primarily made from titanium, a non-magnetic metal. So, titanium dental implants should rarely trigger metal detectors.

After the implant is added to your jawbone, the jawbone will begin to grow around the implant. The implant then becomes part of your natural gum line. This process varies by person and can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months. Once your implant is stable enough, the dentist will place an abutment on top of the implant.

How long does it take for an implant screw to heal? ›

It usually takes at least 3-6 months, and can take longer in some cases. However, this process should not be rushed. As the implant heals and bonds with the bone, it creates a permanent bond.

From experience, I have done 8 on top and below. That is usually enough to support a full set of teeth on the upper and lower jaw. I would not recommend getting more than 8 implants on the top and bottom within a day.

While waiting for implants, temporary crowns may be a good choice. It is usually made of acrylic-based plastic, and the dentist will cement it in place. The crown offers an aesthetically pleasing option.

In some cases, if enough healthy jawbone is present, it may be possible to place a dental implant the same day a tooth is taken out. However, in most cases, a dentist will recommend waiting 3 to 6 months after a tooth extraction to allow the area to fully heal.

A flipper tooth is a removable, lightweight partial denture that is often used as a temporary replacement for one or more missing teeth. Many patients opt for it as it fills in any visible gaps so you don't have to go without a tooth while waiting for your tooth implant.

Dental implants can either be placed under local anesthesia (where the patient is fully awake); under general anesthesia (where the patient is fully asleep); or with light sedation combined with local anesthesia (where the patient is drowsy, but still somewhat conscious).

Your dentist can place one implant at each end of the gap. The implants will support crowns, and the crowns will support 1 – 3 pontics between them. Thus, in total, two dental implants can replace up to five teeth.

The Implant Process

It will take your dentist around an hour per implant. Your next appointment will be four to six months later. Now, the dentist will decide whether your implant is ready to receive the abutment and crown that complete the process.

In general, there are three steps involved in the dental implant procedures. First, the implant itself is placed into the jawbone. Next, the abutment is added to the implant, which is where the artificial tooth will be connected. Finally, the prosthetic tooth, or crown, is placed onto the abutment.

Implant Surgery

Your dentist will place the titanium implant in your jaw bone, right below the gums. This surgery usually takes about 1-2 hours for each implant being placed. After this step is complete, most dentist will wait about 3 months before the final restoration of the tooth replacement.

What should you not do before dental sedation? ›

Avoid alcohol and smoking 24 hours prior to appointment. NO jewelry. Please refrain from wearing dark fingernail polish the day of the surgery.

The short answer is that IV sedation is better because deeper levels of sedation can be achieved in a very predictable, fast and safe manner. Oral sedation can be used, but the sedative dental drugs take longer to take effect and sometimes the level of sedation may not be right once the drug finally sets in.

The good news is that you don't need to be without your teeth while your dental implants heal, and there are options for temporary dental implant teeth. If you need implants to replace your molars, right at the back of your mouth, you might not need to have a temporary.

Yes, most patients are put to sleep for dental implants because the procedure is so invasive. However, if you're just having one or two implants placed, a local anesthetic may be sufficient. A local anesthetic will temporarily numb the area, so although you're awake during the procedure, you won't feel a thing.

The all-on-four dental implant technique is popular among people who have missing or severely damaged teeth. All on four dental implants are incredibly successful and work well for many people lasting for decades. The success rate of these implants is over 97 percent.

The healing process for All-On-Four dentures starts right after the surgery. Unlike traditional dentures, which take about eight months to heal and another year to adapt, these only require six months to a year.

A health condition like uncontrolled diabetes can make a patient ineligible for implants. Those who are using antidepressants or undergoing radiation therapy are at higher risk of implant failure and may not be considered for All-on-4.

During this time, osseointegration --the biological bonding of the jawbone to the implant--occurs. Through this healing period, you will probably wear your modified denture or a temporary denture or bridge and maintain normal activities without restriction.

For most patients, nitrous oxide sedation or IV sedation tend to be the most ideal options. Both of these anesthetic methods, combined with local anesthesia, can help patients feel totally relaxed and at ease during a procedure.

Focus on Breathing During Oral Surgery

Deep, slow breathing can be helpful. Try inhaling deeply through your nose, then counting to five in your head. Exhale slowly through your mouth, counting to eight as you do so. Repeat this cycle a few times, or as often as needed to remain calm.

Can I drive after dental implant? ›

Because you will still feel sleepy and may even experience slightly blurred vision after the procedure, it is strongly advised that you have someone take you home and avoid driving for at least 24 hours.