A Patient's Guide to The Dental Implant Procedure
Are you getting dental implants? If so, you’ve made the right choice for your oral health and overall wellness. Dental implants are the highest quality tooth replacement option available in dentistry. They are natural looking, fully functional and they can also improve your quality of life.
Learn everything you need to know about your upcoming appointment with this guide to the dental implant procedure.
How To Prepare For The Dental Implant Procedure
There are some important preparations you will need to make before your appointment:
- Transportation and Anesthesia. The first thing to consider is transportation to and from your appointment. In some cases dental implants can be placed with just local anesthesia. Nitrous oxide may also be offered to help you relax. In this case you can drive yourself to your appointment and home again afterwards.
In some cases anesthesia may be used during the dental implant procedure. If you will be under conscious oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
- Eating and Drinking. Follow your dentist’s instructions regarding eating and drinking before your procedure. For anesthesia, you will need to fast beginning the night before your procedure.
What To Expect The Day Of Your Procedure
When you arrive for your appointment you will be greeted by the team. The procedure will take place in the following steps:
- Anesthesia. Anesthesia will be administered according to the plan you and your oral surgeon discussed during your consultation.
- Dental implant placement. Once the anesthesia has had time to take effect, your dental implant(s) will be placed.
- Recovery. You will be given time to recover and allow the anesthesia to wear off until you are ready to go home.
Recovery After Dental Implant Placement
You may need to rest at home for the remainder of the day following dental implant placement. The next day you can resume your regular activities depending on how you feel. You will need to eat a soft diet for the first few days to a week, depending on your comfort level. Follow your oral surgeon’s instructions for after care.
The Next Steps
You will have a follow up appointment so that your oral surgeon can monitor your healing. Your progress will be monitored as needed going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How long does dental implant placement take?
The procedure to place your dental implant is typically a 30 minute procedure for placement on single implants. The exact length of your time in the dental chair will depend on a variety of other factors such as the complexity and particulars of your treatment and time it takes for anesthesia to take effect and wear off.
Can I get my permanent teeth placed the same day?
In some cases you can get your permanent prosthesis on the same day your implants are placed. For many reasons we can discuss at your appointment, we do not encourage placement of a permanent prosthesis until after the implant has integrated and the gum tissue has healed.
Why Choose Lucca Oral & Facial Surgery?
We specialize in the placement of dental implants for single tooth and full mouth restorations. Through technology and experience we place dental implants with precision and accuracy for the greatest chance of success. We offer a variety of sedation options to make the procedure as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
To learn more, call 617-300-0345 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.