Dental implant surgery gives people with missing teeth the opportunity to replace them with a solution that looks and feels very much like natural teeth. The dental team at Digital Dental Surgery Sydney will help you to prepare your dental implant procedure and restore your confidence.

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in different stages.

First, your damaged tooth is extracted.

Your jawbone is then prepared for surgery. If you need a bone graft it will be done at this stage.

Once your jawbone has healed, the metal post of the dental implant will be placed in your jaw. This may take a few months to heal completely. Once this happens your dentist will be able to place your abutment, the extension of the metal post. When the soft tissue in your mouth has healed, your dentist will take a cast of your jawbone and then create the final tooth to place on the abutment.

Getting Ready For Dental Implant Surgery

Your dental implant surgery may need to be performed in different stages, and will require a good deal of preparation.

Dental exam

Your dentist will need to do a thorough exam and may take x-rays of your mouth. He or she will check if your jawbone density and bone structure can support the placement of dental implants.

Treatment plan

Your treatment plan should be customised to your individual needs. It will include the number of missing teeth that need to be replaced, and different specialists whose help you will need over the course of your treatment.

What Happens If You Need A Bone Graft?

In the event that your jawbone isn’t strong or thick enough, you may need a bone graft to create a solid base for your dental implant. The force exerted when you bite and chew is very strong, and need a strong implant to manage it.

If your jawbone is not strong enough, bone will need to be transplanted into it. This bone can either be taken from another part of your body, or it can come from another source. If the bone graft is successful, then your real tissue will be stimulated to regrow.

It can take between four to twelve months for your jaw to heal fully after a bone graft.

How painful is the implant procedure?

Your dentist will administer anaesthetic, so most patients report there is very little pain during the procedure.

This process of healing is called osseointegration and it’s the process by which your jawbone grows back around the dental implant. If osseointegration is successful the abutment will be placed, and this is usually done under local anaesthesia. Your dentist will need to reopen the incision in your gum and attach the abutment to your dental implant.

It usually takes a week or two after the placement of the abutment before your new tooth can be placed. After the gums have healed fully your dentist will make casts of your mouth in order to create your artificial teeth, so they look as close to your natural teeth as possible.

What Can You Expect After Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental surgery is a surgical procedure and may carry some side effects, including

• Swollen gums and face
• Bruised gums and skin
• Pain or discomfort
• Bleeding

These are all normal side effects but they can be expected to improve in the days following your surgery. If they seem to be getting worse you should discuss it with your dentist.

Your dentist will probably recommend that you only eat soft food in the days after your surgery, at least until the stitches have dissolved. Remember, it is important that you do not smoke after surgery, as this can lead to further complications.

Are There Any Risks Involved?

Placing a dental implant is a surgical procedure so there is an element of risk present. Fortunately, the risks are small and can be managed relatively easily. They include:

• An infection at the implant site
• Injury to other teeth or blood vessels
• Nerve damage, which is experienced as tingling, numbness or pain in the chin, lips or gums
• Problems with your sinuses

 

What happens after surgery?

After dental implant surgery, it is essential that you practice meticulous dental care. This includes brushing and flossing two to three times a day and rinsing with mouthwash. Your dentist will discuss follow up appointments with you.

 

There’s no need to put up with missing teeth or discomfort any longer. Call our office today to speak to a professional and discover the benefits of dental implants: Sydney CBD: (02) 8294 5812 or Gosford: (02) 8294 8656.