Dental implant surgery is the second phase you can expect to go through when rebuilding your smile with permanent prosthetics. If you are preparing for the big day but feel uncertain about what you can expect, don’t worry. Your dentist will be happy to answer any of your questions beforehand so there are no surprises along the way. From how long the surgery will take to what happens during the procedure, read on to discover more about the placement process and how soon you’ll be able to start enjoying your new smile.
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
The first step your dentist will take when preparing for dental implant surgery is to administer local anesthesia. This numbs your mouth so that you feel no pain or discomfort throughout the procedure. Once you’re comfortable, the dentist will make one or more small incisions in your gums. This allows them to access the underlying bone that will hold your implant posts.
Using careful precision, each titanium post will be fitted and positioned within the bone so that it remains in place and begins to fuse with the surrounding tissues. This same process will be completed with each implant that requires placement.
After all posts are positioned correctly, the gum tissue will be closed, and protective healing caps will be placed over the tops of the surgical sites. At this point, you will be released to return home and allow the osseointegration process to begin, which is the fusing of the implants to your jawbone.
How Long Does It Take to Place Dental Implants?
It’s natural to wonder how long you can expect to be in the treatment chair at your dentist’s office for dental implant surgery. For a single missing tooth, you can expect the procedure to take around two hours to complete; however, this timeframe can increase if you require more than one dental implant.
If you need an implant bridge, you’ll receive two titanium posts, and if you are missing an entire arch of teeth, you may need between four and six dental implants to support a customized denture.
You can expect your dentist to go over the details of your surgery once you are cleared for treatment. This will give you a better understanding of how long it will take to place your new teeth.
Although it might seem like a long time to sit in the treatment chair, it will all be worth it once you’re fully healed and can receive your finalized restoration. Then, you can begin to embrace all the wonderful benefits that dental implants can provide.
About the Author
Dr. Hamid Ranjbaran or “Dr. R” enjoys helping patients who are suffering from tooth loss. Offering dental implants as a reliable and superior form of tooth replacement, he and the team at Southwest Dental can produce longer-lasting smiles using advanced dental technologies for a more accurate and precise approach. Contact us at (505) 896-9399 if you are interested in receiving dental implants and want to know more about the placement procedure that is required.