Dental implant surgery steps with anesthesia

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in stages, with recovery time between procedures. The steps of dental implant surgery under anesthesia involve several different procedures, including:

• Removing the damaged tooth
• Preparing the jawbone (grafting), if needed
• Placement of the dental implant
• Bone growth and healing
• Placement of the abutment
• Placement of the denture

The entire process can take several months from start to finish. Much of that time is spent healing and waiting for new bone to grow into your jaw. Depending on your situation, the specific procedure performed, or the materials used, certain steps can sometimes be combined.

Examination of the patient’s teeth by various specialists

The planning process for dental implants may involve a variety of specialists, including a doctor who specializes in conditions of the mouth, jaw, and face (oral and maxillofacial surgeon), a dentist who specializes in treating the structures that support the teeth, such as gums and bone (periodontist), a dentist who designs and fits artificial teeth (prosthodontist), or sometimes an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

Because dental implants require one or more surgical procedures, you will need to have a thorough evaluation to prepare for the procedure, including:

A comprehensive dental examination. X-rays and 3D models of your teeth and jaw may be taken, and models of your teeth and jaw may be made.

A review of your medical history. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions and any medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. If you have certain heart conditions or have orthopedic implants, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.

A treatment plan tailored to your needs will take into account factors such as the number of teeth you need to replace and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.

To control pain, there are options for anesthesia during surgery, including local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, which your dentist will discuss with you and your family. Talk to your dentist about which option is best for you.

Your dental care team will instruct you on what to eat and drink before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia you have. If you are going to have sedation or general anesthesia for your dental surgery, plan to have someone drive you home after surgery and expect to rest for the rest of the day.

When is a bone graft needed?

If your jawbone is not thick enough or is too soft, you may need a bone graft before dental implant surgery. This is because the powerful chewing action of your mouth puts a lot of pressure on your bone, and if it cannot support the implant, the surgery is likely to fail. Bone grafting can provide a stronger foundation for the implant.

Several bone graft materials can be used to rebuild your jawbone. Options may include a natural bone graft, such as from another location in your body, or a synthetic bone graft, such as bone substitute materials, which can provide support structures for new bone growth. Talk to your doctor about the options that work best for you.

It may take several months for the grafted bone to grow enough new bone to support the dental implant. In some cases, you may only need a partial bone graft, which can be done at the same time as your implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone will determine how you proceed.

Dental Implant Procedures

Placing a Dental Implant

During the surgery to place a dental implant, your oral surgeon will make an incision to open your gums and expose the bone. Holes are drilled in the bone where the metal post of the dental implant will be placed. Since the post acts as the root of the tooth, it is implanted deep into the bone.

At this point, you will still have a gap where your tooth was lost. If needed, a temporary partial denture can be placed to cover the appearance. You can remove this denture for cleaning and when you sleep.

Waiting for the Bone to Grow

Once the metal post of the implant is placed in your jawbone, osseointegration (oss-ee-oh-in-tuh-GRAY-shun) begins. During this process, the jawbone grows and fuses with the surface of the dental implant. This process, which can take several months, helps create a strong foundation for your new denture – just as roots do for your natural teeth.

Placing the abutment

Once osseointegration is complete, you may need additional surgery to place an abutment – ​​the piece that the crown will eventually fit into. This minor surgery is usually done under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.

To place the abutment

Your oral surgeon will re-open your gums to expose the dental implant (the abutment is attached to the dental implant), then the gum tissue will be closed around the abutment.

In some cases, the abutment is attached to the metal post of the dental implant when the post is placed. This means you won’t need an additional surgical step. However, because the abutment goes through the gum line, it is visible when you open your mouth – and will be until your dentist in Windsor completes the denture. Some people don’t like that look and prefer to have the abutment placed in a separate procedure.

After the abutment is placed, your gums will need to heal for about two weeks before you can have the denture attached.

Possible Postoperative Complications

Whether you have dental implant surgery in one or more stages, you may experience some of the common discomforts associated with any type of dental surgery, such as:

• Swelling of your gums and face
• Bluing of your skin and gums
• Pain at the implant site
• Minor bleeding

You may need pain medication or antibiotics after dental implant surgery. If swelling, discomfort, or any other problems get worse in the days following surgery, contact your oral surgeon.

After each stage of surgery, you may need to eat soft foods while the surgical site heals. Typically, your surgeon will use stitches that dissolve on their own. If your stitches do not dissolve on their own, your doctor will remove them.