Dental Implant Surgery: A Complete Guide

What Is Dental Implant Surgery?

Dental implant surgery puts a titanium post in your jaw. The post holds a new tooth. It’s a way to fix missing teeth that feels like real teeth.

Implants work better than other ways to fix teeth. They last a long time! Studies show they work well for 95-98% of people after 10 years. More people get implants now than before. From 1999 to 2016, the number grew from 0.7% to 5.7% of all dental patients.

Who Needs Dental Implants?

You might need implants if:

• You lost one tooth
• You lost many teeth
• Your teeth broke
• You have bone loss in your jaw

Good patients for implants:

• Have healthy gums
• Have enough jaw bone
• Don’t smoke (or will stop)
• Can wait for healing time

Some health problems make implants hard:

• Not controlled diabetes
• Some immune system problems
• People who took some bone drugs

How Dental Implants Help You

Implants do good things:

• Stop bone loss in your jaw
• Let you eat all foods
• Look like real teeth
• Don’t need to cut other teeth
• Last many years with good care

Step-by-Step: How Dental Implant Surgery Works

1. Check-Up Before Surgery

Before you get implants, the doctor needs to:

• Take x-rays
• Do CT scans to see your bone
• Look at your teeth and gums
• Make models of your mouth

This helps make a good plan for your new teeth.

2. Bone Grafting (If Needed)

Some people don’t have enough bone for implants. If that’s you, you might need bone grafting:

• The doctor adds bone where you need it
• The bone can come from your body or other places
• You wait 3-6 months for the bone to grow

Implants with bone grafts work well but not as good as those without grafts. They work in 89% of cases, while implants without grafts work in 94% of cases.

3. Putting In The Implant Post

Now for the main surgery:

1. The doctor makes you numb
2. They cut your gum to see the bone
3. They make a hole in the bone
4. They put the titanium post in the hole
5. They close your gum with stitches

For some people, they put on a healing cap at this time.

4. Waiting for Osseointegration

This big word means “bone joining.” Your jaw bone grows around the implant and holds it tight. This takes time:

• 3-6 months for most people
• The bone and implant become one
• This step is why implants last so long

5. Adding the Abutment

After your jaw bone grows around the implant:

1. The doctor makes a small cut in your gum
2. They put an abutment on the implant
3. The abutment sticks out of your gum
4. Your gum heals around it (about 2 weeks)

The abutment connects your implant to your new tooth.

6. Getting Your New Tooth

The last step is your new tooth!

1. The doctor makes models of your mouth
2. A lab makes your new tooth (crown)
3. The crown attaches to the abutment
4. The crown looks and works like a real tooth

For many teeth, they might use implant-supported bridges or implant-supported dentures.

Special Implant Types

There are different kinds of implants for different needs:

Endosteal Implants

• Most common type
• Go into your jaw bone
• Look like small screws

Subperiosteal Implants

• Sit on top of the jaw bone but under the gum
• Good for people with less bone height

Zygomatic Implants

• For very low jaw bone
• Go into your cheek bone
• Need special doctors

All-on-4 Technique

• Holds a full set of teeth with just 4 implants
• Lets you get new teeth faster
• Works well for Full Arch Rehabilitation

You can learn more about the All-on-4 approach at ASD-Dentallab.com which shows how just four implants can support a full arch of teeth.

Risks with Dental Implant Surgery

Like all surgeries, there can be problems:

• Infection at the implant site
• Hurt to nearby teeth or blood vessels
• Nerve damage (makes your lip or chin numb)
• Sinus problems (for upper jaw implants)
• Implant failure (happens in about 5% of cases)

The main cause of problems is peri-implantitis. This is like gum disease around an implant. It can make you lose the implant.

After Surgery: What to Expect

First Few Days

• Some blood in your spit
• Face and gums will swell
• Pain in your face, chin, or under eyes
• Need soft foods
• May need pain pills

Warning Signs

Call your doctor if you see:

• Bad pain that gets worse
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Fever
• Implant feels loose
• Very bad swelling

Long-Term Care

To make implants last:

• Brush and floss every day
• Use special brushes that clean around implants
• See your dentist for check-ups
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t chew very hard things

Looking for products to help care for your dental implants? Visit ASD-Dentallab.com to find specialized tools and products.

Dental Implant Costs

Dental implants cost more at first but can save money over time. Here’s what affects the price:

• How many implants you need
• If you need any extra work (like bone grafts)
• What kind of teeth you put on the implants
• Where you live
• Your dentist’s skill

In the U.S., one implant costs about $3,000-$6,000. A full mouth can cost $30,000 or more.

Many people don’t get implants because of the cost. About 23% of patients wait to get implants because of money worries [^4]. You can pay for implants with:

• Dental insurance (might pay some)
• Health savings accounts
• Payment plans
• Dental loans
• Credit cards

If you’re concerned about implant costs, explore affordable options for dental implants for seniors, which can include payment plans or discounts.

Other Ways to Fix Missing Teeth

If implants don’t work for you, you can try:

Dental Bridges

• Use nearby teeth for support
• Last 5-15 years
• May hurt good teeth
• Cost less than implants

Removable Partial Dentures

• Can take out to clean
• Cost less
• May not feel as good to eat with
• May look less real

Full Dentures

• For all teeth missing
• Rest on gums
• Cost less
• Don’t stop bone loss
• May slip when eating or talking

For more information on alternatives like flexible dentures, check this guide on flexible partial dentures which can be more comfortable than traditional options.

People Ask These Questions

Table: Dental Implant Success Rates

About Bone Grafting and Implants

Some people need bone grafts before getting implants. Types of bone substitute materials include:

• Autogenous bone: From your own body
• Allografts: From human donors
• Xenografts: From animals
• Synthetic: Man-made materials

Osseous regeneration happens when new bone grows into the graft area. The process can take 3-6 months.

For the best outcomes in more complex cases like atrophic jaw management, consult an oral maxillofacial surgery specialist who can evaluate whether you need a sinus lift procedure or other advanced techniques.

If you’re exploring different implant options including mini implants, you might find this resource on mini dental implants helpful for understanding smaller, less invasive alternatives.

Caring for Your Implants

Good implant care includes:

• Soft tissue management around the implant
• Using low-abrasive toothpaste
• Special floss for implants
• Water flossers
• Regular peri-implant probing by your dentist
• Avoiding hard foods that could damage crowns

Getting Started With Implants

If you think implants might help you:

1. Talk to your dentist first
2. Get a full check-up
3. Ask for a CBCT scan to check your bone
4. Get a plan with costs
5. Ask about payment options
6. Get a second view if needed

The road to new teeth takes time, but most people say it’s worth it!

[^1]: Statistics from thedentalimplantguide.org, showing 95-98% success rate for dental implants [^2]: Data from trendstatistics.com about dental implant usage growth from 1999 to 2016 [^3]: National Institute of Health study on implant success rates with and without bone grafts [^4]: animated-teeth.com survey on reasons for delaying implant treatment