Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone and function as the roots for your replacement teeth. It’s the most ideal solution to tooth loss and the alternative choice for those tired of traditional dentures. As the procedure requires surgery, many patients who come to our clinic are often hesitant and interested to learn more about how it’s done and what to expect. Here’s a brief overview of these topics to help you prepare for your dental implant surgery.
Comprehensive Dental Exam
As is the case with all dental treatments requiring surgical procedures, the process starts with a thorough evaluation of your current oral health. This consists of a comprehensive dental exam, which includes x-rays and impressions of your teeth and mouth. These steps are necessary to create a treatment plan tailored specifically for your dental situation.
It’s also during this routine step that you should let us know about any existing medical conditions and medications you’re taking. This will help determine if dental implants are right for you. After this step, you will receive more specific instructions regarding how to prepare and what to expect.
What to Expect
Outpatient dental implant surgery occurs in stages, starting with the removal of the damaged tooth or teeth structure. The next step is to prepare your jawbone for surgery – this step may require bone grafting, depending on the results of the dental exam conducted earlier on. If necessary, we proceed with the procedure and then wait for your jawbone to heal before carrying on with implant placement.
The healing period that follows may last several weeks. Once the metal implant is in your jawbone, though, ossointegration begins – this is the process where the jawbone grows into and integrates with the surface of the dental implant. After it heals, we finish the procedure with placement of the abutment, an extension of the implant metal post, and then your new artificial tooth.
Dental implant procedures may take a couple of months to complete, but the process is well worth it in the end. Schedule an appointment to learn more about the procedure today. We look forward to helping you achieve the stabilized, healthy, and beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
As a second-generation dentist,Dr. Matiasevich was raised in Santa Cruz. Dr. Matiasevich completed his undergraduate work in economics at the University of California Irvine and then attended the University of Southern California for his dental degree.