Our Dental Implant Process

Dental implant placement is a procedure where screw-like posts replace damaged or missing teeth and are capped with artificial teeth that look and function just like real ones. And, because dental implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone, your replacement teeth won’t slip, make noise, or cause bone damage the way fixed bridgework or dentures often do. Here is what you can expect when you choose to undergo the dental implant process:

Parts of A Dental Implant

The three parts of the dental implant are:

1. Fixture: This piece serves as a root or foundation for the dental implant.
2. Abutment: This part serves as a middle connector piece.
3. Crown: This is the artificial tooth that can be seen above the gum line.

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

Most dental implant procedures are performed in your oral or implant surgeon’s office. Local anesthesia is usually administered for these out-patient procedures. However, various other forms of patient sedation like local, oral, or intravenous sedation, can also be used. Supplemental surgical procedures, like bone augmentation, may also be performed as separate procedures or at the same time as implant placement. There is no one-size-fits-all procedure. Each dental implant surgery is different depending on the patient’s anatomy, health, desires, and preferences of the doctor.

The Stages Of Dental Implant Placement

The dental implant placement process can usually be performed at our office in just a few simple steps. Here is what happens:

1. Your damaged tooth is removed if it is not already gone.
2. Your jawbone is prepared for surgery, a process that sometimes involves supplemental treatments like bone or tissue grafting.
3. The dental implant fixture is placed in your jawbone.
4. Patients rest during a healing period that can last several months.
5. The abutment is placed.
6. The artificial tooth or crown is specially crafted to perfectly match the look, color, and shape of the patient’s natural tooth.
7. The crown is attached to the abutment and the patient can now smile with ease, comfort, and confidence.

What Is Osseointegration?

Once the dental implant fixture is placed into your jawbone, the process of osseointegration begins. During this process, the jawbone grows into and firmly plants itself into the surface of the dental implant. This process can take up to six months and helps provide a solid base for your new artificial tooth.

Crafting The Artificial Tooth

After your implant integrates and grows into your bone, you will have special impressions made of your mouth and remaining teeth. These impressions will be used to craft your realistic-looking artificial tooth. The crown can’t be placed until your jawbone is strong enough to support the new tooth. Your general dentist will then insert your artificial tooth.

How Long Does The Entire Process Take?

This will depend on the individual patient, their health, how many implants were placed, and if supplemental procedures are necessary. However, on average, the entire process usually takes 3-8 months. The surgery itself typically takes less than one hour per tooth.

After Your Dental Implant Surgery

After dental implant surgery, many patients experience discomfort associated with dental surgery. Here are some of the more common side effects:

• Swelling in gums, cheeks, jaw area, and face
• Bruising of face, jaw, and gums
• Pain at the surgical site
• Minor bleeding around the implant site

After their dental implants have been placed, patients will be sent home with a specific list of aftercare instructions. If swelling, discomfort or any other problem gets worse in the days after surgery, contact us immediately.

Come To Dugan and Sweeney Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery For Dental Implants Today!

Don’t let your unattractive, damaged, or missing teeth keep you from smiling with confidence for one day longer. Dugan and Sweeney Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has options and dental implants can quickly restore your smile. We serve the communities in and around Pittsburgh including Greenville, Zelienople, and Butler. You have nothing to lose but the problems caused by your missing teeth. Call us now for a consultation.