Placing a Dental Implant is usually as simple as getting a cavity filled. It is often done under local anesthesia and patients generally experience little discomfort after the procedure. However, it could be performed under oral, intravenous and general anesthesia at our office.
How Long Will Dental Implants Last?
Dental Implants become integrated within the jawbone. Dental Implants have been reported to last in the patient’s mouths for multiple years. With good oral hygiene and regular cleanings, Dental Implants should be very long-lasting. In contrast, the average life span of a traditional fixed crown and bridge work is between 10-15 years.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
After an evaluation by your General Dentist, it will be determined if you are a good candidate for this procedure. If he feels Dental Implants might be possible, he will send you to a Periodontist so a final evaluation could be performed prior to placement of dental implants.
HOW ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS PLACED?
Usually, the office procedure to place a dental implant takes about an hour to and hour and a half for one implant and no more than two or three hours for multiple implants. The placement process consists of the following steps:
You will be given prescriptions for your medications such as antibiotics and pain relievers to begin prior to the surgery.
In most cases a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area.
You may request oral sedation or intravenous sedation. If sedation is utilized, the local anesthetic will still be administered to numb the areas where the implant/s will be placed.
After you are comfortable, a small incision is made into the gum tissue, revealing the bone into which the implant will be placed.
After the implant is placed, the area will need to sit undisturbed for as short as three and as long as six months. The exact amount of time will be determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.
The dental work required to complete your treatment may seem complex. It is, however, considered more comfortable and more pleasant than conventional dental care. Frequently, many aspects of the work can be done without using even local anesthesia.
Using special instruments, a socket is carefully created.
The titanium implant is then inserted into the socket.
