What Is Dental Implant Placement Oral Surgery?

Dental implants are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth, but the treatment does involve oral surgery, so knowing what to expect before dental implant placement can be helpful. Each patient has a unique experience, but there are certain expectations that patients can have before oral surgery for implant placement. 

An overview of dental implant placement oral surgery

Dental implant oral surgery involves accessing the jawbone and placing the implant inside the jaw. This process requires a minor oral surgery and recovery. The following is a review of dental implant placement oral surgery and what to expect before, during and after the surgical procedure.

Dental implant placement explained

Dental implants are placed into the jawbone to serve as the root for the replacement tooth (crown, bridge or denture). They provide a long-term solution to tooth loss, but many are scared away by the thought of a surgical procedure. However, the placement of the dental implant is typically not as invasive as patients might expect. The oral surgery procedure involves drilling a hole into the jawbone, placing the dental implant and sealing the area. The patient is typically under sedation and does not feel much, if anything, during the procedure. 

What to expect during treatment

The typical dental implant placement oral surgery process involves accessing the underlying bone above or below a missing tooth (or teeth), drilling a small hole to place the dental implant and fixing the implant into the proper position. The procedure can be completed in a single dental visit. Some discomfort is likely to exist after the sedation wears off, but there should be little to no discomfort during the procedure. It can take several months for the dental implant to fuse together with the jawbone. After that, a second procedure (a far less invasive one) is scheduled to place the abutment and the restoration. 

How the recovery process works

The mouth is likely to be sore, and minor bleeding may occasionally occur for several days following the placement of the implant. Much of the initial discomfort can be managed by taking anti-inflammatory medication and using gauze to control any minor bleeding. The dentist typically also provide dietary instructions, and patients are encouraged to eat a diet of soft foods and drink water throughout the day during the recovery process. 

When bone grafting might be necessary

Before dental implant placement oral surgery, the patient must have enough jawbone. If bone loss occurs as a result of tooth loss, then the dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure, which is a minimally invasive form of oral surgery. This procedure ensures that there is enough healthy bone to support the dental implant long term. 

Find out more about dental implant placement oral surgery

You can learn more about dental implant placement oral surgery by giving our team a call today to set up a consultation visit. We can address your concerns and help you understand the complete placement process.

Request an appointment here: https://www.highlandsdentaldallas.com or call Highlands Family Dentistry at (214) 491-5362 for an appointment in our Dallas office.

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