Dental Implant Surgery

What is Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is a procedure to place a metal anchor (implant) for an artificial tooth into your jaw. You may have dental implant surgery to replace lost or damaged teeth.

This procedure is done in stages:

• The first stage is the implant stage. This is when the implant is buried into the bone tissue that is below your gum. The implant replaces the root of your tooth. The bone tissue that surrounds the implant may take 3–6 months to heal.
• The second stage takes place after you have healed from the first stage. This next step involves having a post (abutment) placed on top of the implant. The abutment will hold the replacement tooth.
• The final stage is to have the permanent replacement tooth attached to the abutment.

Your procedure and how long it will take depends on the health of your jaw bone and on the implant or implants you need.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Failure of the bone to attach to the implant. If this happens, the procedure will need to be repeated.
• Infection.
• Injury to surrounding teeth, nerves, or blood vessels.
• Sinus complications.

What happens before the procedure?

• Follow instructions from your dental care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your dental care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your dental care provider instructs you not to.
• Tell your dental care provider if you use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Your dental care provider may ask you to stop using tobacco before your procedure. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Your dental care provider will do a complete oral exam before your procedure, including:
  • X-rays.
  • Making molds of your mouth.

What happens during the procedure?

First Stage (Implant Stage)

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your dental care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• Your dental care provider will make a small cut (incision) in your gum where the implant will be placed.
• A hole will be drilled into your jaw bone to hold the implant.
• The implant will be placed in the hole.
• The incision will be closed with stitches (sutures) that dissolve as you heal (absorbable).
• It may take several months for your bone to heal around the implant and become strong enough to hold it in place.

Second Stage (Placement Stage)

• You may have X-rays before starting this stage to confirm that your jaw bone has healed completely.
• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your dental care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• Your dental care provider will make a new incision in your gum to expose the implant.
• The abutment will be screwed into the top of the implant. A temporary tooth (crown) may be attached to the abutment.
• It may take several months for your gum to heal around the abutment.

Third Stage (Final Stage)

• A permanent tooth will be made from the molds of your mouth. This tooth will be made to match your other teeth.
• The crown will be removed.
• Your permanent replacement tooth will be screwed in or cemented to the abutment.

Each stage of the procedure may vary among dental care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

After each stage of surgery:

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Your dental care provider will give you instructions for taking care of your implant, abutment, or permanent replacement tooth.
• Your dental care provider will tell you when to come back for the next stage of treatment or for a follow-up visit.

Care After Dental Implant Surgery

These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions.

Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Bruising.
• Minor bleeding.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Lifestyle

• Avoid participating in contact sports.
• Eat soft-textured foods as told by your health care provider.
• Do notuse any tobacco products including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

General instructions

• Take care of your teeth as told by your health care provider. This may involve gently brushing with a soft toothbrush, using a mouth rinse, and flossing every day.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. Implanted teeth need to be checked regularly. They may need to be removed, cleaned, and replaced at times
• Check your affected area every day for signs of infection. Watch for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Blood or pus.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have tooth pain or gum pain that is not controlled with medicine.
• You have redness or increased swelling in the surgical area.
• You have blood or pus coming from the surgical area.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have new symptoms.
• You have pain in your face.
• You have a fever or chills.
• You have tingling or numbness in your lip or jaw.
• Your replacement tooth becomes loose or damaged.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain.
• You cannot open your mouth.