Dental implant surgery under anesthesia

Dental implant surgery under anesthesia is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts, replacing damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function very much like real teeth.

Dental implant surgery can be a good alternative to dentures or bridges that don’t fit together well and can offer an option when the lack of natural tooth roots doesn’t allow for the replacement of artificial dentures or bridges. How dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone.

Dental implant surgery may involve several procedures. The main benefit of implants is the solid support for your new teeth because placing a dental implant involves a process that requires strong bone to grow around the implant. Since this bone growth takes time, the process can take months.

Good candidates for dental implants

Dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they act as the roots for missing teeth. Because the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants don’t slip, make noise, or damage the bone, and your teeth that support conventional bridges don’t have to be decayed.

In general, dental implants may be right for you if you:

• Have one or more missing teeth
• A jawbone that is fully developed
• Have enough bone to support the implants or can receive a bone graft
• Have healthy oral tissues
• Do not have any health conditions that affect the healing and bone-building process.
• Are patients who cannot or do not want to wear dentures
• Are looking to improve your speech

Risks of dental implants

Like any surgery, dental implant surgery carries some health risks. However, these risks are rare, and when they do occur, they are usually minor and easily treatable. Risks include:

Infection at the implant site

Damage to the structures around the tooth, such as damage to other teeth or blood vessels

Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin

Sinus problems, when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities

Steps to prepare the patient for implant placement

The planning process for dental implants may include an examination by a variety of specialists, including an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a specialist who examines the health of the patient’s gums and bone (periodontist), a dentist who designs and then manufactures the artificial teeth (prosthodontist), or sometimes an otolaryngologist.

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

A comprehensive dental exam that may include X-rays and 3D dental models that are used to create models of your teeth and jaw.

Tell your dentist about your medical history. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. If you have certain heart conditions, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before surgery to help prevent infection.

A customized treatment plan is another step in getting dental implants, which will consider factors such as the number of teeth you need to replace and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.

To control pain, anesthesia options during surgery include local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. Talk to your dentist about which option is best for you.

Your dental care team will instruct you about eating and drinking before surgery, depending on the type of anesthesia you have. If you will be under general anesthesia during the procedure, plan to have someone drive you home after surgery and rest for the rest of the day.

Dental Implant Surgery Steps

Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that is performed in stages, with recovery time between procedures. The dental implant procedure involves several steps, 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 procedure 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 procedure performed, or the materials used, sometimes some steps can be combined and the dental implant procedure can be completed sooner.

Bone Grafting Process in the Jaw

If your jawbone is not thick enough or is too soft, you may need a bone graft before dental implant surgery. This is because chewing puts a lot of pressure on your bone, and if it can’t support the implant, the surgery is likely to fail. In these situations, experts recommend a bone graft because the bone graft 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 one from another place in your body, or a synthetic bone graft, such as bone substitute materials, which can provide support structures for new bone to grow. Talk to your dentist in Kingston about the options that work best for you.

It may take several months for the new bone to grow enough 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 the implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone will determine how your dental implant surgery will go under anesthesia.