For your quality of life

Dental implants are small threaded posts that replace missing teeth roots. Most dental implants are titanium, but some are ceramic. Both of these materials are safe and biocompatible (friendly to the tissues inside of your mouth).

How do dental implants work?

A surgeon places a dental implant into your jaw during an oral surgery procedure. Once the implant heals, your dentist can place a crown on top. Depending on your oral health goals, your dentist can restore your implants with crowns, bridges or dentures.

What happens during dental implant surgery?

During dental implant surgery, your surgeon will:

1. Give you anesthesia. They’ll administer local anesthesia to numb your gums. If you opted for sedation, they’ll give you those medications as well.
2. Create an incision. Once you’re comfortable, your surgeon will make an incision (cut) in your gums where the dental implant will go. This exposes the bone underneath so your surgeon can place the implant.
3. Prepare your jaw. Your surgeon will use a series of specialized instruments to create an opening in your jawbone. They’ll widen the opening until it’s just the right diameter for your new dental implant.
4. Place the dental implant. Next, your surgeon will carefully place the dental implant into your jaw.
5. Close the incisions. Finally, your surgeon will reposition your gums and close the incision with stitches.

The steps for dental implant placement are generally the same for everyone. But sometimes, a surgeon can place a dental implant and restoration (like a crown or bridge) all in one visit. Most of the time, however, you’ll need a few months for the implant to heal before your dentist can safely place a final restoration. In these cases, your dentist can make a temporary (usually removable) restoration for you to wear during the healing phase.

What happens after dental implant placement?

Your surgeon will give you a detailed list of postoperative instructions. They’ll also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of soreness and discomfort:

• Take all medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Avoid exercise or heavy lifting for at least 72 hours. (An elevated heart rate can result in increased pain and swelling.)
• Chew on the other side of your mouth. (If you had implants placed on both sides, eat soft foods for a few days, and then add other foods as your comfort level allows.)
• Brush and floss every day.
• Clean the implant site as directed by your surgeon.

 Benefits

Dental implants offer a wide range of advantages. They can:

• Improve speech and chewing ability.
• Enhance the appearance of your smile.
• Secure permanent or removable bridges and dentures.
• Provide teeth replacement without altering (shaving down) your neighboring teeth. (This is necessary for dental bridges.)

In addition, dental implants can’t get cavities. (But they’re not invulnerable to gum disease, so it’s still important to practice good oral hygiene.)

How long does it take to recover from dental implant surgery?

Dental implant recovery times can vary, but most people can resume normal activities in about three days. Even so, it can still take several months for your jawbone to fuse around the implant. This process is osseointegration, and it’s critical for the long-term success and stability of your dental implant.

Following your dental implant placement, your surgeon will periodically check on your progress. Once the dental implant has fused with your jaw, it’s safe to add the restoration on top. Placing a dental restoration too soon can result in implant failure.