Restoring your smile with the help of dental implants is an exciting chapter in anyone’s life. With so much to look forward to, including the ability to eat a full diet, protect your remaining natural teeth, and confidently share your gorgeous grin with the world, it may feel like it can’t happen fast enough. But all good things come to those who wait, including your smile. Here’s what the dental implant surgery process looks like, and how long you can expect it to take!
The Beginning…
The start of your dental implant journey begins with your consultation. Once your dentist has examined your teeth and gums, a treatment plan will be customized for you. This could require you to undergo bone grafting or gum disease treatment, and you may need to have one or more teeth extracted. Conversely, you may not need any preparatory procedures, but your dentist can determine this at your appointment.
Preparation
Once you have been given a treatment plan, you can get started on any preparatory procedures. These can take several weeks to months to complete. Don’t forget to factor in recovery time, as your mouth will need to be completely healed before your dentist can advance to the next step.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once your mouth is ready, your dentist will schedule your dental implant surgery. This entails inserting the titanium post into your jawbone, where it will fully integrate over the next few months. Once it is secure, you will then get your new abutment and crown (tooth) placed.
Dental implant surgery can take between one and two hours for one implant, and longer if you are receiving multiple.
Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery
After your dental implant surgery is complete, you will need to take some time to recover. This process can last about three months before you are ready to get your abutment placed. The abutment placement requires your dentist to once again make incisions in your gum tissue to access the implant. You will be numbed for the procedure, and healing should be much more comfortable than it was with your dental implant post. Best of all, once your procedure is complete, your new smile will be too!
How to Make Dental Implant Recovery Easier
You will be numbed for your dental implant surgery, and your dentist may also offer sedation options to help keep you relaxed during the procedure. After each step, be sure to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your dental team. These tips will not only help mitigate discomfort, but they will also help ensure that your healing process goes smoothly and as fast as possible. Failure to comply with these instructions could result in infection, unnecessary pain, and of course, dental implant failure.
Remember, the dental implant process is a time investment, however it is one that most patients find is well worth it. To get started on your own dental implant journey, take the first step and speak to your dentist today!
About Dr. Lam
Dr. Vincent Lam enjoys being able to help patients of all ages as a dentist, especially when he’s able to restore their smile back to its original glory! If you’re missing one or more teeth and looking for a permanent, natural-looking solution, it’s time to consider dental implants. To get started and find out if you’re a good candidate for this innovative treatment, please schedule a consultation with Seahurst Smiles of Burien on our website or call us today at 206-589-8556.