What to Expect From Your Procedure

Dental implant procedures generally follow a series of standard steps. First, your dentist will make an assessment of your condition, which includes a patient history, a dental examination, and discussion of a full treatment plan options. Because each patient is different, total treatment time depends on individual patient needs, medical and dental history, jaw bone condition, and the technique and materials that are being used. It can be as short as a few months, or more than a year to complete more complex conditions.

The next step is the insertion of the implant, which done under local anesthesia. After implant surgery, you will need time to heal and have any sutures removed before moving onto the next phase of restoration. A temporary restoration may be placed on the implant at time of surgery for the healing stage.

The healing phase usually lasts between a couple of weeks and a few months. Ideally during this period, the bone around the implant grows and integrates with the implant surface – a process called osseointegration. Good oral hygiene is vital in the healing stage of the treatment. Once healed, this artificial root acts as a base for fixing individual crowns, multi-tooth bridges, or an entire dental prosthesis.

As with any surgical procedure, there may be some discomfort that is experienced during and after the procedure. Every patient will heal differently, and your surgeon will work with you before, during, and after surgery to help keep you as comfortable as possible.

Once sufficient healing has occurred, the dental professional takes an impression of the implant site that will be sent to a lab to produce a crown (or bridge if multiple teeth are being replaced) that is custom-fit to the patient’s mouth. Once fabrication is complete, the crown or bridge is installed, and your procedure is complete. You can now begin to fully enjoy your new smile!