The procedure for the surgery
Dental implant placement is accomplished in several steps over a period of time (approximately 6 months).
Tooth removal is performed and the area evaluated for immediate implant placement. If there is not enough bone or tissue the implant is placed after a healing period of about 6-8 weeks.
A small titanium post is precisely and gently anchored into the patient’s jawbone, recreating a natural tooth root.The surgery is not painful. Anesthesia eliminates pain during the placement of implants. A mild discomfort experienced after the surgery can be controlled with over-the-counter medications.
A liquid diet is usually required same day after implant surgery. A soft diet may be in order the following few days. Most often you can usually can eat most foods fairly soon. Let Dr. Hoffmeyer’s advise and your comfort be your guide. Typically, you can return to work the very next day.
You may have to keep your dentures out the day of treatment, but, thereafter, you can wear your dentures throughout your treatment.
After sufficient healing time depending on amount and quality of bone and procedure (can range from 2-9 months, but most frequent is 2-4 months), a minor surgery is performed to uncover the implants and attach another titanium piece, called an “abutment”. The gum is allowed to heal for 2 weeks. There are some implants that do not require this second stage because the extension piece is already attached. Dr. Hoffmeyer will advice you which system will be used.
Finally, a porcelain crown is cemented to this abutment. Only the crown is visible, as the implant looks, feels, and functions as a natural tooth.
The same procedure with minor variations is performed when bridge and dentures are placed.
Is dental implat surgery painful?
No. Anesthesia eliminates pain during the placement of implants.
A mild discomfort experienced after the surgery can be controlled with over-the-counter medications.
Bone grafts
If the implant site does not have enough bone volume to support the appropriate sized implant, you will need a bone graft. Bone loss can be the result from periodontal disease, injuries, cysts, infections or an extracted tooth. Normally, it can be determined if you will need a bone graft from your x-ray prior to surgery, but in some cases it is not discovered until opening the implant site. Bone grafts are very safe and effective in the dental implant restoration. Once it is placed, it will help replace missing bone, stimulate bone formation and increase bone volume.
Sinus Augmentation
When the upper back teeth are lost and have to be replaced by implants an x-ray may show that the sinus is too low for proper placement of dental implants. A simple procedure called sinus floor elevation might be necessary. This is done by accessing the sinus from the side of the upper jaw or by a simple pushing-up from the extracted tooth site. Various grafting materials are used to encourage your bone to grow more quickly into the area, helping to stabilize the implant. These grafting materials are replaced by your own bone as it grows into the area. If the first procedure does not result in enough bone for implant placement, additional bone may be regenerated through a second procedure at the time the implants are placed. Depending on the amount of you own bone in the area, the implants may be placed at the time of sinus lift or after approximately 6-9 months when the bone has developed. The surgery takes about 1-1½ hour per site. Sinus lifts are highly predictable for healthy patients (95% success).
