What to Expect: Dental Implant Procedure

From Consultation to Crown: The Implant Process in Detail

The dental implant process is a partnership between your body’s natural healing ability and our clinical expertise. It is typically broken down into the following key stages to ensure the best possible outcome.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation and Advanced Treatment Plan

This is the most critical planning phase. Your journey begins with a comprehensive dental exam, where we will review your medical history and discuss your smile goals. The cornerstone of this appointment is a 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scan. This advanced imaging provides a detailed, three-dimensional view of your jawbone, allowing us to:

• Assess the height, width, and density of your bone to ensure it can support an implant.

• Determine if a preliminary procedure, like a bone graft or sinus lift, is needed to build up the foundation.

• Create a precise digital blueprint, mapping out the exact location and angle for your implant placement to avoid nerves and other vital structures.

Step 2: The Implant Placement Surgery

This is a minor surgical procedure performed in our office with the utmost attention to your comfort.

• Anesthesia: The area will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic. You will not feel any pain during the procedure. Sedation options are also available for anxious patients.

• Placement: A small incision is made in the gum tissue to access the jawbone. The surgeon then gently places the biocompatible titanium implant post into its pre-planned position. The gum tissue is then closed over the implant to allow it to heal.

Step 3: Osseointegration - The Healing Phase

This is the magic of dental implants. Over the next 3 to 6 months, a remarkable biological process called osseointegration occurs. Your natural jawbone grows into and fuses directly with the surface of the titanium implant, creating an incredibly strong and stable foundation, just like a natural tooth root. During this healing period, you may have a temporary tooth replacement to maintain your smile's appearance.

Step 4: Placing the Abutment

Once osseointegration is complete, the next step is to attach the abutment.

• What it is: The abutment is a small connector post that attaches to the top of the implant and sits just above the gum line. It serves as the link between the implant in your jaw and your final crown.

• The Procedure: A small incision is made to expose the implant, the abutment is securely attached, and the gum tissue is allowed to heal around it for a couple of weeks.

Step 5: Crafting and Placing Your Final, Custom Restoration

This is the final and most exciting step, where you receive your new tooth.

• Impressions: We will take a highly accurate digital scan or impression of the abutment and your surrounding teeth.

• Custom Creation: This model is sent to a dental laboratory, where a master technician will fabricate your custom porcelain crown. It will be meticulously crafted to match the exact color, shape, and size of your natural teeth for a seamless, beautiful result.

• Final Placement: At your final appointment, the new crown is permanently secured to the abutment, completing your smile and restoring your ability to chew, speak, and smile with total confidence.