A Simple Guide to Our Dental Implant Process

Everyone deserves a confident, radiant smile. If you have missing teeth, dental implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution that restores both function and aesthetics. 

More than just replacing a tooth, dental implants are known to enhance your quality of life by improving speech, chewing ability, and overall oral health. When placing and restoring dental implants, patients can expect seamless, high-quality results.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a state-of-the-art tooth replacement option that mimics the structure of natural teeth. They consist of three key components.

• Titanium Post: Surgically placed into the jawbone, this serves as a strong, artificial tooth root.
• Abutment: A small connector that attaches to the implant post, securing the final restoration.
• Custom Crown: A lifelike porcelain or ceramic tooth that blends seamlessly with your natural smile.

Dental implants are designed to be long-lasting, durable, and virtually indistinguishable from real teeth.

The Dental Implant Process

Getting dental implants is a multi-step journey that ensures a stable, long-lasting, and natural-looking result. From the initial consultation to the final restoration, here’s what you can expect.

Consultation and Planning

The first step is a comprehensive evaluation where your oral health, bone density, and overall suitability for implants are assessed. During this step, a personalized treatment plan will be created to ensure precise placement and long-term success.

Implant Placement

During a minor surgical procedure, the titanium post is placed into the jawbone. This acts as a secure foundation for your new tooth. This process usually requires local anesthesia or sedation options for comfortable results.

Recovery From Surgery

You may have a bit of swelling or pain for a couple of days after your placement procedure, but it should heal quickly. If it doesn’t, be sure to contact us to let us know. We recommend a diet of soft foods for at least the first 24 hours.

Osseointegration

Over the next few months, the implant naturally fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This integration provides unmatched stability and support for your final restoration.

Custom Restoration & Smile Perfection

Once the implant has fully healed, the abutment is attached and crafts a beautiful, natural-looking crown. The abutment is created to match the shape, color, and function of your surrounding teeth, ensuring a flawless result.

Maintaining Implants

The process doesn’t end at restoration! Maintaining your implants is easy but essential to your health and the longevity of the implants. For your implant care, you will need to brush twice a day, floss, and use mouthwash. We also encourage you to visit our office at least once every 6 months, or more if you struggle with your gum health.

Dr. Bahr and Dr. Segura love to answer any questions you might have as you recover or begin to enjoy your implants. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Before receiving any treatment, it is important to know who the Ideal candidates for dental implants are.

• Have one or more missing teeth.
• Possess healthy gums and sufficient jawbone for support.
• Are committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
• Do not smoke or have conditions that impair healing.

Even if you do not think you are a good candidate for dental implants, there are steps available to get your smile ready for this treatment.