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When you lose a tooth as an adult, you don't just lose that one tooth. As other teeth drift into the gap, you can lose proper tooth alignment. You lose the ability to eat and speak normally. You lose bone structure and support for your remaining teeth. Last but certainly not least, when you lose a tooth, you can also lose self-confidence.

If you have lost one or more teeth, replacing them as soon as possible is essential to your overall oral health. Let's take a look at the typical dental implant process at our Phoenix cosmetic dentistry office.

The Average Treatment Time

Receiving dental implants occurs in four phases - planning, implantation, healing, and restoration. In general, the total treatment time is five to eight months, depending on the complexity of the case and whether bone or gum grafts are needed. We perform every stage of your dental implant procedure here at our office and oversee your care from beginning to end.

Planning Your Personalized Care

The first step in getting implants is a detailed consultation. We take CT scans of every implant candidate to confirm the diagnosis and guide our treatment plan. If the CT scans reveal a need for bone grafts or augmentation, our team can perform those procedures before your implantation surgery. By investing time and attention during the planning stage, we can develop a comprehensive, individualized plan that ensures the best possible results for our patients.

Implanting a Durable Support

The mainstay of a dental implant is the support rod that is surgically placed into the jawbone. Although only the top of the restoration is noticeable when the entire treatment is over, this implanted rod is actually the most important part of the treatment. We take great care in this phase.

We will administer a local anesthetic to numb your mouth and offer sedation as needed to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. We will prepare your gums and then insert the dental implant into your jawbone. The surgery for one implant usually takes about an hour; multiple implants can take two or three hours.

Healing and Bone Fusion

After your surgery to place the implants, you will need to let your jawbone heal for three to six months. This healing phase allows the implant to fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseo-integration. During these few months, the bone will grow around and fuse with the implant and create a study anchor for the final restoration. We will fit you with temporary restorations to wear as you heal.

Restoring Your Smile

Once your jawbone and gums have fully healed, we will design and place the new tooth onto the integrated implant. The restoration is similar to a dental crown and will match the size, shape, and color of your remaining teeth for a natural-looking result. For patients who want a removable full upper denture, we provide the state-of-the-art MK1 appliance that comfortably locks into a few strategically placed upper implants. This option allows patients to feel confident in social situations while still having the ability to easily remove the restorations for cleaning as needed. Implants can also confidently secure your lower denture when used in conjunction with locator attachments.  

Enjoying the Benefits

With dental implants, you will gain a beautiful, functional smile that will allow you to enjoy your favorite foods, laugh with friends, and feel better about the overall appearance of your smile. With a little patience, you will have secure, durable, and attractive new teeth that will last a lifetime.

Learn More about Dental Implants

Proper planning and expert techniques with dental implants can give you a reason to smile again. If you are missing some or all of your teeth, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holton and take that first step in reclaiming your oral health!