What is the Dental Implants Procedure?

The first step in the decision for dental implants is to make an appointment with a qualified dentist for an evaluation. He/She will examine your mouth and teeth and take a thorough medical and dental history. You’ll receive X-rays and possibly a CT scan, which will give the dentist a good idea of your bone density and the shape of your jaw.

Dental implants are usually completed in two phases:

  • Phase #1 is the actual dental implant placement, a process generally performed in the office with local anesthesia or light sedation to help make the patient more comfortable. Using precise, gentle surgical techniques, the implants are placed into the jawbone for 3 to 6 months while osseointegration (bonding to bone) takes place. This helps ensure a strong, solid foundation for replacement teeth. During this time, temporary bridges or dentures may be used to minimize any cosmetic or chewing inconvenience.
  • Phase #2 involves creating and attaching the new tooth or teeth to the anchored dental implant(s) in your jaw. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or complete dentures. Your dentist can recommend the best choice for you.

Recently, an alternative to the two-step method has been developed that allows you to have the dental implant installed in one whole piece in one single session at your dentist. This new method has simplified the dental implant procedure a lot, both for patients and dentists.

The procedure is chosen depends on several factors, such as the patient’s dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the dental implant procedure and treatment period.

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9 Responses to “ What is the Dental Implants Procedure? ”

  • MC November 8th, 2007

    Hi!
    I am en route to getting 4 dental implants in my upper jaw (3 on one side, 1 on the other). I am getting a sinus lift to create more bone on the side that is getting the sinus lift. Next up after that will be to get braces to move/shift teeth in preparation for the implants (during the sinus lift healing process). My question is, once I get the implants in, how long do I have to be without teeth with the surgery? I have read/seen places saying I cant wear anything for 10-14 days…that is impossible to me. I am a active young 20 something year old, and am missing these teeth due to genetics. I currently wear a partial…is there no way that can be modified so I can wear during the initial healing process? I just wanted to get some professional opinions…thanks.

  • drs. T November 8th, 2007

    Sometimes it is better to leave the implants without load. Most implants fail because of microstrains when they are loaded to early. But when your dentist modify your partial and you stick to a close follow up you can wear your partial for social cases, but not to eat with!! On your whole life its only a short time that you have this discomfort, but in the end you will have a lon term succes. It depends on the risk you want to take, the bone quality, initial stability after surgery of the implants and the posiibility to splint the implants together inwhich time you can load your implants.

  • sue November 17th, 2007

    has anyone heard of a foreign object being left in sinus after extractions, implants, removal of implants, and insertion of new implants? a white kidney shaped object in up in the sinus. a CTscan and several types of panarexes.
    please help…if you have heard of any similar situation.

  • Dr Rob Zaichcik February 22nd, 2008

    can you direct me to the following:

    visual images, photos, mpgs that i may use to help educate patients from the very idea of what an implant is thru the steps…something to help them understand the sequences and ideas for case presentation?

    are there any good sites?
    are there good publications i may see te fore purchasing to help us?

    i would like to find anything to help me create a nice way to walk a patient thru the ideas and the informed consent process?

    sincerely

    Dr Rob Z

  • denise August 12th, 2008

    I have had a 3i tapered implant placed by a peridontist in position 12? (top row, almost centre) to fill a gap due to genetic defect (it was previously covered by a bridge). I was originally told it would be 2-3 months before the new tooth would be attached but my new dentist is talking about putting in a temporary tooth at 4 months post surgery to be followed by a final tooth at 6+ months. I’m 38 and otherwise healthy. Is this delay normal? I have also had braces to correct the positioning of the adjacent tooth which was diagonal making the missing tooth appear to be in the next position.

  • DAN MCCABE September 11th, 2008

    HOW CAN I REMOVE IMPLANTS SCREW THAT IS STUCK IN THE METAL HOUSING, PLEASE I NEED THE REPLY ASAP. THANKS DAN

  • sol November 21st, 2008

    i am 32 weeks of pregnant does it hurt to put an implant screw to the jaw at this time please give me advise.

  • Dee March 13th, 2009

    Hi - I am on day 4 of having radical implant surgery done - includng extractions, sinus lift (modified), bone work and placement of upper and lower implants .. I had been in an accident and due to l0 years of lawyers fighting and nothing being done rather than needing 1 or 2 implants - everything had to be done… I was in constant pain for years with broken and/or missing teeth and while I was sick and unable to work I was a young woman who had very little public contact. I just wanted my mouth restored to what it was - but California and that legal system .. Anyhow - found a new type of implant center that doesn’t take 2 l/2 years of treatment .. it starts at 7:00 a.m. and by 5:30 my mouth had teeth and I was on the way home.. I have to tell you - this is so extremely painful that I’m not so sure it’s for everyone… but for me - I have a chance to get back some of my life - restoring my appearance and being healthier in the long run… If anyone would like to have info on what to expect with respect to pain I can sure advise you of that - as far as long term pain, etc.. I’ll just try to keep you posted if you are interested..

  • Lorelei Sinclair October 19th, 2009

    I am a 6 year survivor of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to the nasal and pharynx area with 28 rounds of radiation to sinus, mouth and throat. I had a dental implant done last week to number 13 and now I am being told by friends of friends that it was not safe to do being an oral cancer survivor and reduces blood flow to the area from radiation. Does any one have thoughts on that?

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