How to Prepare for a Dental Implant Procedure

When most people hear about dental implants, they immediately associate it with dental surgery and shy away from it. Although the procedure is believed to be painful, it’s not. With modern technology, our dentist can make the procedure pain-free.

Opting for other dental restorative procedures, may not give you the durability and function of dental implants. Moreover, not only are they temporary, but some like veneers may damage your healthy teeth.

Dental implants are safe, and if done by a qualified dentist can last for a long time. So, before you go rushing to any dentist near you, it’s vital to check the qualifications and certification of the dentist.

Dental Implant Facts

Still skeptical about them? Here are a few reasons not to be:

1. The Dental Procedure is Planned

Before the procedure, our dentist will give you a surgical map of what is to be expected, the procedure timeline, the risks involved, and pre- and post-surgery instructions.

A dental assessment is also done to determine if you have enough jaw bone to support the implants, and if your gums are healthy. Through the assessment, the dentist can decide on two things:

• If you need a bone graft
• The type of dental implants you need (whether all-on-4 dental implants or full mouth implants)

2. No Pain During the Procedure

No dental procedure, however minimal, is done without any anesthesia, and dental implant surgery is no different. Our dentist will give anesthesia to numb the area. He will also give dental sedation to reduce anxiety. IV sedation is commonly used for mild to moderate dental surgeries. If a bone graft is done, the dentist can give you general sedation, which induces sleep.

3. Yes, There’s Slight Discomfort

You will not experience pain during the procedure because of the anesthesia, but as the numbness wears off, you will feel slight discomfort. The pain will last for a few days but can clear faster with the use of pain relievers. The dentist will also give you antibiotics to prevent infection from developing.

If the pain continues for a week, you should come to our dentist in Carlsbad, CA, for an assessment.

An Overview of the Dental Procedure

Dental implants are surgically fixed, and the procedure is done in a few steps:

Dental examination and assessment

This is the pre-surgery step where the dentist checks if you are eligible for the surgery. X-ray and other diagnostic tools will be used to determine the location, the health of the gums, and bone density. If you are eligible, the dentist will drill the bone to fix the metal post.

If you don’t have enough jaw bone, a bone graft will be done. The procedure usually involves getting bone granules from your body or a cadaver and fixing them in your jawbone. This is done to promote healthy bone growth to support the titanium post.

Normally, the dental implant takes three to nine months to fuse to the bone, but if a bone graft is done, it can take up to 12 months.

Fixing of the abutment and crown

These two are fixed on separate days. After the implant is fused to the bone, the abutment or connector is placed to connect the implant and the crown.

The crown or artificial teeth are fixed once the gum is completely healed.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Not only is the procedure pain-free, but it also provides other benefits too:

• Dental implants can last for over 25 years and with proper care, a lifetime. The implants are made of titanium, which is not prone to fracture. Although the crown can fracture or chip, the dentist can repair them easily.
• The implants are unnoticeable, and they mimic the luster, appearance, and function of your natural teeth.
• They are easy to care for because they fuse to your natural teeth
• They preserve your teeth and jawbone

Don’t be afraid of dental implants as they are more beneficial than other dental restorations. Contact us, and our dentist will explain the surgical procedure.