During the dental implant procedure, you may experience some bruising and swelling. Over-the-counter medication will help manage these symptoms.
Your doctor will make a cut in the gum and drill holes into your bone. The implant and the bone will fuse together to form a strong foundation for your replacement tooth.
Preparation
If you are a candidate for dental implants, your dentist will perform a comprehensive exam to make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure and that there is enough density in your jawbone to support it. X-rays and 3D images of your teeth and jaw will be taken, and models will also be created.
If your jawbone is too soft or thin to hold an implant, your dentist will create a stronger foundation with a bone graft. This may involve transferring natural bone from another part of your body, or synthetic bone-substitute material.
You will likely experience some discomfort throughout this process, including bruising and swelling of the gums and face, as well as minor bleeding and pain at the implant site. Your dentist will discuss pain medications and other ways to manage these symptoms with you before the surgery. It is important to stock up on soft foods and ice packs and avoid chewing on hard candies to ensure your comfort after the procedure.
Surgery
The first step in the dental implant procedure is getting your mouth assessed to see if it is healthy enough for implants. This will include X-rays and possibly other tests.
If your jawbone is too soft or thin, it can be strengthened with a bone graft to ensure it can support an implant. This is usually done with natural bone from another part of your body or a synthetic bone substitute. It can take months for the new bone to grow.
Once the surgery site heals, your dentist or oral surgeon will place the abutment. This is a screw-shaped post that helps connect the new tooth or teeth to the implant. It is typically done under a local anesthetic. You may experience some pain and swelling after the abutment is placed, but this will usually fade within a few days. It is recommended that you eat soft foods and use ice packs to help relieve the discomfort.
Healing
After developing a plan, your dentist will assess whether you have enough space and bone to hold an implant. They may need to perform a bone graft to give you a solid base if your jawbone is too soft or thin. They will also need to review your medical history and current medications to make sure you can safely undergo surgery.
During the dental implant procedure, your dentist will place the titanium post (the equivalent of a tooth root) into your jawbone. A small metal spacer called an abutment will then connect to the implant post.
You will likely feel some discomfort after the procedure, but pain relief medication should eliminate most of it. Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend resting after the surgery, eating soft foods, and icing the surgical site regularly to decrease swelling and discomfort. It is important to avoid spitting vigorously, using a straw, or poking the surgical area, as these activities could dislodge a blood clot and cause pain or infection.
Restoration
After your gums and face heal from surgery, you’ll visit your dentist to have a connecting piece called an abutment added to the post portion of the implant. This will enable a custom replacement tooth (called a crown) to be placed on the implant, which completes the procedure.
In the meantime, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene and follow any additional dental care instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon, such as eating soft foods and avoiding hard, crunchy and/or sticky ones near the surgical site. You should also avoid excessive heavy exertion and exercise, which could damage the blood clots that form around the implant.
The first step of the process is a comprehensive exam, which may include taking X-rays and making models of your teeth and jaw. This will help your dentist or oral surgeon determine whether you have enough healthy bone to support an implant and how many you need. If you do not, they may recommend a bone graft.