While dental implant surgery is routinely an outpatient procedure, it is nonetheless an involved process. At Eagle Gate Dental, Dr. James Wright refers patients to a skilled oral surgeon for bone graft treatment and placement of the implants; patients then return to Dr. Wright’s office to have natural looking restorations attached to the implants.

For the best results, it pays to understand the dental implant process and the care that’s required every step of the way.

Preparing for Dental Implant Surgery

Before dental implant surgery, you should expect your cosmetic dentist and oral surgeon to run a thorough examination that may include dental x-rays, digital imaging, and 3D molds of your jaw. This step is essential in order to determine the cause and scope of tooth loss, to plot the best plan of action for each individual patient, and to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. In addition to healthy gums and good dental habits, your dentist and oral surgeon must also confirm that your jawbone is strong enough to support an implant.

If your dentist and oral surgeon determine that your jawbone is not strong enough to support a dental implant on its own, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary. This step may be deemed essential for a variety of reasons. In some cases, where a tooth has been missing for years, bone may have eroded to the point where it is inadequate to properly anchor a dental implant. In other cases, a patient may simply have a jawbone in need of additional support.

In either case, your oral surgeon will most likely create a bone graft using samples of bone taken from another part of the body. This is generally a simple outpatient procedure, but once completed, you will need time to heal before your dental implant surgery can progress.

Your Dental Implant Journey

After any bone grafting has had time to heal and set, an oral surgeon will be able to proceed with the first step of dental implant surgery, which is the implantation of a titanium post within the jawbone. The surgeon will accomplish this by drilling deep into the jawbone, where the post will serve as an anchor or a “man-made tooth root” for your future crown or dental apparatus.

Once the post has been implanted into your jawbone, time will be required for “osseointegration” to occur - this is where the jawbone begins to grow back around and essentially fuses with any dental implants, creating a strong prosthetic base. Osseointegration can take up to six months, during which time your dentist can equip you with a temporary crown or bridge. 

After your jaw implant has properly healed and osseointegration has successfully set in, your surgeon will be able to secure an abutment to the implant. Your new artificial teeth can then be affixed to the abutment. You may be able to choose from a removable structure or a permanently affixed prosthetic.

This abutment step may also require minor surgery, as well as side effects like discomfort and swelling of the gums. Your surgeon may recommend liquids or soft foods while you recover from this stage. Most patients report that they are able to get back into the swing of things within two weeks.

Contact Our Salt Lake City Cosmetic Dentist

Dental implant surgery is not for everyone. But when it’s the right decision for you, trusting in the right dental office can make all the difference. Dr. Wright and his team at Eagle Gate Dental have the experience and the capabilities necessary to improve both your bite and your confidence. Contact our Salt Lake City cosmetic dentistry office today to take the first step toward a brighter and more perfect smile.