Learn More About
Dental Implants
The Dental Implant Treatment Process
Learn About the
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants present numerous benefits over other methods of teeth replacement, meaning they’re often the solution our oral surgeons recommend for their patients. Dental implants:
- Last longer and have higher success rates than bridges, crowns, and dentures.
- Preserve bone in the jaw through stimulation, meaning that patients won’t lose their distinctive facial profile.
- Don’t harm existing teeth to replace any missing teeth
- Are more cost-efficient than dentures, as you only need to pay for one procedure.
- Can be perfectly matched to the patient’s existing teeth for a seamless smile.
- Allow the patient to bite and chew like they normally would, which may not be possible with tooth-supported bridges or crowns.
Dental Implant Process
Initial Evaluation
You will first visit our doctors for an initial consultation where they will perform a full evaluation, take needed images, evaluate your candidacy, and determine your treatment plan.
Oral Preparation
If you require any pre-surgeries or tooth extractions prior to the placement of your dental implants, our doctors will include these in your treatment plan and explain to you how the procedures will affect your recovery timeline.
Implant Placement
Once your mouth has been prepared to receive dental implants, our doctors will create small incisions into the gum line and surgically place each implant into the jawbone.
Osseointegration
After your implants have been placed, your mouth will need to heal for 4-6 months. During this time, your jawbone will permanently fuse to the dental implants, making them a permanent fixture in your mouth.
Restoration Placement
Once your dental implants have completely fused to your jawbone, your restorative dentist will place your permanent prosthetic crowns and your restoration will be complete!
Recovery Instructions
The recovery process for dental implants is minimal because the gums heal relatively quickly. The implants will take a few months to be secured to the bone. At this point, you’ll return for a follow up visit, where our doctors will open the gums one last time to place an abutment. Then, the replacement crown or bridge can be attached without any more invasive procedures.
How painful is getting a dental implant?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can You Get Dental Implants With Bone Loss?
This depends on how much bone you’ve lost. After you lose a tooth, it’s possible to lose up to 25% of your bone mass in the underlying area within a year. If you lose too much bone mass, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants.
However, this doesn’t mean that you’re completely out of luck. With bone grafting, it’s possible to add more mass and strength to your jaw bone. In this procedure, Dr. Yeh will place artificial bone granules in the area that’s experienced bone loss. Over time, natural bone will heal over this area, strengthening it and preparing your jaw for a dental implant.
While this does mean that you can get a dental implant even if you have bone loss, it’s still preferable to get dental implants right away so that you can avoid bone loss. Bone grafting is highly effective, but it does add more costs and complexity to your treatment. Bone grafts also require a long time to heal, so this means it will also take longer to get your dental implants.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With proper care, your dental implants will last a lifetime. Titanium is used for dental implants because it has the unique ability to bond (osseointegrate) with your jaw bone. Essentially, this means that the titanium metal will permanently attach to your jaw. For all intents and purposes, a dental implant will become a natural part of your mouth.
However, you will still need to take good care of your mouth. Just like regular teeth, dental implants can fail without proper care. If you want to keep your implants in good shape, you’ll need to brush and floss regularly, eat a “tooth-healthy” diet, and kick bad oral health habits like smoking and vaping.
It’s also important to note that while your implant will likely last a lifetime, your new false tooth (dental crown) or other prosthetic may not last quite that long. Just like natural teeth, your prosthetic will go through wear and tear as you chew and eat. It may loosen or become damaged over time. Dental implant restorations usually last 10-20 years.
During your six-month preventive visits with your dentist, they will check on your implant and restoration and make sure it’s in good shape. If any repairs or treatments are needed, Dr. Frank Yeh is always here to provide the treatment you need in Virginia Beach, VA.
Will Getting A Dental Implant Be Painful?
You will not feel any pain or discomfort during your appointment with our oral surgeon in Virginia Beach, VA. Dr. Yeh and our team will numb your mouth, and we can also provide dental sedation for patients who need to stay more comfortable during their procedure. With nitrous oxide sedation(laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation available, we make it easy to get the care you need.
After your implant placement appointment at Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, you will likely experience some pain as you heal and recover. However, this will fade within a few days, and most patients feel much better within a week or so. Dr. Yeh will provide you with a list of instructions to follow as you heal. Steps like taking pain medication, avoiding exercise, and icing the cheek near the surgical area can help with discomfort as you recover.