The Dental Implant Process: What to Expect from Consultation to Recovery

The most important thing to remember about dental implants is that the treatment is not instant. This is not like a bridge or a denture that can be fitted in two or three visits over a matter of weeks.

The process includes a period of healing, which can extend the total treatment time to months. With this in mind, we’re looking at the entire dental implant treatment process and what you can expect.

We’ll start with the consultation process and what you should expect from your dentist and their team. We’ll also look at the different stages in the treatment plan and the recovery process for each one.

Finally, we’ll look at the aftercare recommendations and how you can expect to care for your implants in the future.

First look: the dental implant consultation

When you first learn about dental implants, you might carry out research in your own time, but there comes a point where you will need to book a consultation with an expert.

This is because dental implants aren’t right for everyone, and it’s better to have all of the facts before you get your hopes up.

During your consolation your dentist will examine your teeth and gums and may take X-rays and a CT scan to get a better picture of your jaw health. They will also take a detailed medical history and ask you questions about your lifestyle.

It’s important to be honest about these things as it could have a big impact on your suitability for dental implants.

Planning your treatment

If you are a good candidate for dental implants, your dentist will confirm if you would like to move forward. They will discuss things like financing and scheduling to ensure everyone is on the same page.

If you choose to go ahead with the treatment, your dentist will work with a treatment coordinator to plan the different stages in the procedure. It’s vital to remember that this plan needs to remain flexible.

This is because the treatment stages depend on how quickly your body heals, and there is no way to know how long this will take. Your dentist can estimate your treatment plan, but there may be some changes in the final schedule.

Placing the implant

The first step in the procedure is to place the dental implant. Your dentist starts by creating a small pocket in the jaw bone and then placing a small titanium screw inside. The gum is stitched closed above this and the body gets to work healing. The jaw bone will regenerate around the implant, bonding with the body-safe material.

You may leave the gap in your smile or you might wear a temporary partial denture or bridge to protect the implant site. These are options to be discussed with your dentist during your initial consultation.

Attaching the abutment

Once the implant has sufficiently healed and formed a strong bond with the jaw bone, the next step is to attach a healing abutment. The abutment sits on the top of the implant and above the gum line.

Once the gum has healed around the abutment, we can move to the final stage of the restoration. Gum contouring around the healing abutment helps to create a more natural-looking finish.

Placing the bridge or crown

The final stage in the dental implant journey is to place the dental implant bridge or crown on top of your implant and abutment. This is permanently fixed in place and can only be removed by a dentist.

At this stage in the dental implant journey, your titanium implant is fully healed and provides a solid anchor for the final restoration. You will be able to eat, speak, smile and care for your teeth with confidence.

Following your final appointment, your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is working as it should and that you are confident caring for your restoration. If you have any questions or concerns about your implant, it’s important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.

Possible complications could include pain, inflammation or tenderness at the implant site. This could be the early signs of gum disease around your implant which could spread to the socket and cause the implant to become loose.

What can slow down the treatment process?

There are a few different situations that could draw out the treatment plan. If you require bone grafting before you can have a dental implant, this could add months to the treatment time as your dentist will have to wait for the bone graft to heal before placing the implants.

If you are having multiple implants, this can also slow down the treatment plan. For instance, multiple implants may be used to replace an entire arch of teeth by providing anchor points for a permanent denture.

Multiple implants will take longer to heal than a single implant due to the additional strain on your body and its healing processes. It’s also possible that some people will simply heal slower than others.

Healing times are unique to the individual and not something that we can speed up. It’s also not a treatment plan that should be rushed, as this can lead to negative outcomes and implant failure.

Final thoughts on the dental implant process

Understanding the dental implant process is essential for all patients before moving forward with treatment. This can help you to plan and better understand how each stage in the process will impact you.

If you’re ready to explore dental implants with our team of experts, get in touch today. We can arrange a consultation so you can start the journey towards a more confident and complete smile.