Your teeth play an essential role in your ability to eat, speak, and smile authentically. If you have gaps in your grin, these once-basic tasks suddenly become much mor challenging. Fortunately, your dentist can restore your mouth’s appearance and functionality with dental implants.
These are the only replacement teeth that are surgically embedded in your jaw to function as sturdy standalone structures. However, many patients hesitate to undergo the procedure because they’re worried it will take too long. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect to make an informed decision!
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
Before you can proceed, you must consult with your dentist to ensure that you’re a good candidate. They’ll update your medical history and ensure that your jawbone is thick enough to support your prosthetics. If it’s not, an additional bone graft treatment can often bulk it up enough to continue.
During surgery, your dental team will first numb your mouth and provide sedation so that you remain calm and comfortable throughout. Then, they’ll cut an incision in your gums and create a small hole into your jawbone to house the titanium rod of your implant. They’ll embed it deeply into the bone tissue, then you recovery can begin, which can take several months to heal.
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Usually Take?
Many patients assume that having these teeth placed inevitably involves a long and agonizing procedure, but that’s thankfully not the case. You’ll be medicated so you don’t feel any pain, and the surgery itself usually takes between one to two hours, but it can depend on your circumstances. If you’re having multiple posts placed or your provider must navigate around your sinus cavities, it may take longer.
How Long Does Dental Implant Recovery Take?
Once the titanium rod is placed, it can take several months to heal. This is because your body takes anywhere from three to six months to complete a process called osseointegration. Every time you bite down, the pole in your jaw stimulates new bone growth around it. Eventually, enough new bone is produced that it fully envelops and fuses with the metal, making your implant a permanent part of your mouth.
Your dentist will schedule another appointment once you’ve recovered to place a dental crown or other restoration, based on your needs. Multiple teeth can be replaced with an implant bridge, and an entire arch can be rebuilt with implant dentures.
Once your fully customized prosthetic is in place, you’ll have a beautifully upgraded grin you can’t wait to show off!
About the Practice
At Ambiance Dental Spa, you and your family benefit from two women dentists in Bowie dedicated to improving your dental health. Dr. Hightower and Dr. Barrow share more than 20 years of combined experience and work together to offer a comprehensive menu of services from one convenient location, including dental implants. They partner with the best local surgeons so you enjoy peace of mind knowing that your prosthetics are placed by experts, and then provide lifelike restorations for seamless results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (301) 262-2624.