Before we even begin, the very first step is to address if there is any preexisting decay and periodontal disease. We may find it also necessary to extract a tooth or even perform a dental bone graft if the jaw has begun to atrophy and lacks the proper bone density to support the implants. After these initial issues have been addressed and corrected, we will then proceed with a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. This state-of-the art technology provides the team with 3D images of your bone, teeth soft tissues, and nerve pathways. These precise images allow us to determine the exact placement of your implants using the combination of the best digital assessment software and related technology to ensure that your dental treatment is totally customized and unique for just you. Many dental offices today, especially those that are corporate-based, attempt to treat everyone the same way with a one-size-fits-all approach. Your teeth, gums and smile are as unique to you as your fingerprints. As a result, our approach is to draw from a variety of digital-based, precision solutions that will bring back your natural smile and restore your ability to eat the foods that you enjoy.  Our unique perspective not only includes a very comprehensive treatment plan just for you, but it also includes a thorough and detailed explanation and then we continue to monitor your ongoing follow-up care through the entire process.

Prior to the procedure to place the implant, a local anesthetic will be first administered to numb your gums. If it is deemed necessary, a dental sedation will be added. Once your gums are sufficiently numbed, our dental implant surgeon will perform a simple but important minor surgical procedure. This is the strategically placing of the titanium implant or implants into your jawbone. After the titanium post or posts are properly placed, we need to be patient. It will take two to three months for the posts to grow into the jawbone, a process called osseointegration. Once the osseointegration process is successfully finished and the posts have permanently fused into your jawbone, we will then add extensions or abutments to the posts to reach the surface. Then your custom, permanent denture, which has been designed in the lab to restore both the desired aesthetic appearance and functionality of your natural bite, will be placed. There are small nylon snaps placed into the backside of each denture tray that match perfectly with the positioning of the posts. These snaps then lock on to the post extensions which deliver the stability of the implant support, just like a natural root.

There are several vital benefits. Not only do the implant supported dentures offer the strength and stability, but these posts act as roots. The posts will stymie any further jawbone atrophy, they will deliver pressure sensations as you bite, chew, and speak, and they will also deliver temperature changes between cold and hot. The implant supported dentures are almost as good as having your real natural teeth.

Following dental implant placement, post-procedural pain, swelling, and complications can be minimized or avoided if the following instructions are closely followed.

• Avoid disturbing the surgical area
• Post-procedural pain typically develops once the anesthetic wears off. Once you begin to feel discomfort or pain, take Over the Counter (OTC) or prescription medication as directed.
• Place ice packs on the area where surgery occurred for twenty minutes at a time to control swelling.
• You may experience tooth sensitivity to cold/hot temperatures, but this should go away as the healing process progresses.
• Follow a soft food diet for approximately two weeks. As the healing progresses, you can begin to slowly reintroduce harder foods.
• Avoid tobacco products and alcohol, as both can slow the healing process
• Avoid spitting, rinsing, or using a straw for the first 24 hours minimum.
• If possible, limit intense physical activity for the first three days, but most importantly following surgery.

In addition to following these aftercare instructions, we strongly encourage our patients to follow a six-month ongoing maintenance program, which includes regular professional cleanings of your teeth and allows us to monitor your dental implant and overall oral health. By closely following aftercare instructions, scheduling regular maintenance, and continuing to follow good daily oral hygiene habits, you should enjoy a fast recovery that is free of complications, and continue to enjoy a bright, healthy smile.