Dental Implant Placement
Dentist Battle Ground
 Understanding the steps in rebuilding missing teeth with a dental implant can be helpful in determining if it’s right for you. Most implant treatment options take time with layered steps to achieve the final result. Your specific treatment plan will be explained to you during your consultation, as plans can vary. Our staff at Excel Dental are here to answer your questions and provide the information you need when making this decision.
A dental implant can be used to rebuild the root of a tooth when a tooth is lost. It serves as an implant rod that we can then use to attach a replacement tooth. Before we get to this step, preparation is likely needed.
Dental Implant Preparation
The first step in any surgical procedure is the planning phase, this may include some preparatory arrangements and treatments including:
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Evaluation: The first step is evaluating your teeth. We will want to review any missing teeth, and the health of the remaining teeth. If other teeth are unhealthy, this may alter the plan for future work as well.
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Treat Gum Disease: A common cause of missing teeth is chronic periodontitis, which is a more severe case of gum disease. We want to help you gain control of this disease as it is an active bacterial infection that is destroying tissue as it rages.
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Rebuild Tissue: For some patients, we may need to rebuild or restructure soft and hard tissue. This could include reversing receding gum tissue through a graft.
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Bone Graft: Many patients will require a bone graft prior to implant placement. When a tooth is lost, the bone experiences both an immediate and extending atrophy. We want to add bulk to the bone and grow some new tissue through a simple bone graft.
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Digital Radiology: Part of the planning is creating a treatment map of the tissue for where the implant is going to be placed. This is done through digital radiology, and often 3D digital x-ray imaging. |
Once the treatment plan has been developed and the preparation has been completed, the implant can then be placed.
Placing a Dental Implant
Dental implant placement is a minimally invasive procedure that is generally completed in our office, it rarely requires a hospital setting. We begin with ensuring the comfort of the patient. We will discuss anesthetics prior to surgery and discuss the best pain relief for each individual, it will most likely include a conscious sedative.
With a treatment map in site, we can proceed. Surgery begins by cutting open the tissue to reveal the bone. We then use a specialized drill to create space in the bone and insert the implant into the space. The tissue is then closed with sutures. If you are having multiple implants placed, this generally occurs at the same time. We will provide care instructions and what to expect in the healing process. You may feel some initial discomfort from swelling, but it should alleviate within a day or so. The gum tissue will heal in a matter of days, but the bone will take several months to heal and grow around the implant.
Following a period of healing, we can then schedule an appointment to have the prosthodontic attached to the implant.
Some dental implant procedures, including the All-on-4® full arch dental bridge require less preparation and the dental bridge is set in place the same day as the dental implants.
For more information on dental implant surgery, contact our Battleground office at (360) 369-3930. |
