The Dental Implant Process: Step By Step

Dental implants can take between 6-8 months or longer to place, and while they’re worth the time and effort, you may be wondering what exactly happens during this process at Nova Cosmetic Dentistry. Read on and find out! 

Step 1. Initial Consultation

To begin the process, Dr. Waibel will need to perform a comprehensive oral exam and determine if you’re a good candidate for treatment. If you’re approved for a dental implant, she’ll begin designing your implant placement plan right away. 

(Optional) Pre-Treatment Surgeries

Depending on your oral health, you may need further treatments like tooth extraction, a bone graft to strengthen and prepare your jaw bone for an implant, or alveoloplasty (ridge smoothing) to smooth out ridges in your jaw before your implant placement. Dr. Waibel will discuss these in more detail with you if they’re required for your implant. 

Step 2. Implant Placement Surgery

Next, you’ll come into Nova Cosmetic Dentistry for your implant placement surgery. Your mouth will be cleaned and numbed, then Dr. Waibel will make a small opening in your gums and jaw bone, and place a titanium implant precisely in this opening. After this, the area will be cleaned and sutured shut so that it can heal. 

Step 3. Healing & Osseointegration 

Implant surgery is minimally invasive, and most patients completely recover within just one or two weeks. However, it will take up to 6 months for your metal implant to permanently attach to your jaw in the process known as “osseointegration.” During this time, you’ll come into Nova Cosmetic Dentistry for a few follow-up appointments to check on your progress.

Step 4. Creating The Implant Restoration

During your follow-up appointments, Dr. Waibel will also take images and molds of your mouth, which will be sent to a dental lab. This is where your dental crown or other implant restoration will be designed and built. By the time your mouth has healed completely, your implant restoration will also be complete. 

Step 5. Abutment Placement

This step is only required if your abutment was not placed during your initial implant surgery. The abutment is a small piece of metal that will connect the implant to the restoration. 

If you did not get an abutment during your initial implant placement, Dr. Waibel will need to uncover your implant by removing a little bit of gum tissue, and then she will bond the abutment directly to the implant to prepare for your final appointment. 

Step 6. Final Restoration Placement 

Once your mouth has fully healed and your abutment has been placed (if applicable), you’ll come in for your final appointment at Nova Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Lana Waibel will check your implant restoration one last time to make sure everything’s perfect. Then, she will permanently bond it to your implant, restoring your tooth and completing the procedure.

Interested In Dental Implants? Come To Nova Cosmetic Dentistry Today! 

Dr. Lana Waibel has years of experience in dental implant surgery, and if you’re interested in dental implants in Ambler, Nova Cosmetic Dentistry is here to help. To learn more about the process, find out if you’re a good candidate, and get started, just contact us online or give us a call at (267) 405-2727.