Information on your Dental Implant
Dr. Jim L. Culver and our office will be working in coordination with your general dentist for your dental implant. The following information should aid you in understanding the implant process.
The implant process can vary and is dependent on each person’s particular needs. This guide will review all aspects of the implant process. Please keep in mind that each procedure may not be applicable to you. Your individual needs will be discussed at your consultation appointment.
The Consultation
The first step in the implant process is a consultation with Dr. Culver to see if a dental implant is the right solution for you. At the consultation a full mouth x-ray will be taken (if you have not provided a recent one already) to allow Dr. Culver to examine the area in which the implant is to be placed. Then Dr. Culver will discuss with you the implant process and address any questions or concerns you may have. Together you will create an individualized treatment plan. In some cases bone grafting and/or a sinus lift may be necessary. This will be determined at this consulation appointment as well. Once the decision to proceed with an implant has been made, our office will assist you in making any appointments needed both here, as well as with your general dentist.
The Surgical Guide
In most cases Dr. Culver will require your general dentist to fabricate a surgical guide, or splint, to aid him in the placement of your implant. Remember that Dr. Culver will work in coordination with your general dentist through the entire implant process. A surgical guide allows your dentist to show Dr. Culver where s/he needs the implant to be placed to allow them to fit your crown at the final stage of the implant process. The need of a surgical guide will require you to make an appointment with your dentist for an impression of your teeth. If a surgical guide is required, it will need to be in our office for the implant placement procedure.
Bone Grafting
A key to implant success is both the quantity and quality of bone in the area where the implant is to be placed. If Dr. Culver has determined that there is an insufficient amount of bone existing to support your implant, or that the quality of bone in that area is poor, he will recommend bone grafting to ensure the success of your implant. In most cases where bone grafting is necessary, a healing period will be required before the actual placement of your implant. In other cases bone grafting can be done at your implant placement surgery.
The Sinus Lift
If we are placing an implant into your upper jaw, a sinus lift may be required. We cannot place a dental implant into the sinus itself because we would just be placing it into an air cavity and nothing would secure it in place. When the maxillary sinus prevents the placement of an implant a procedure called a sinus lift will be performed. In this procedure Dr. Culver will merely open up the side of the sinus and raise the bottom portion so it can be filled with bone. After a healing period, this will allow Dr. Culver to place the implant in solid bone to ensure your implants success.
Placing Your Dental Implant
This is the procedure where Dr. Culver will surgically place your implant into your jawbone. At your consultation you will be given anesthesia options for this procedure and will choose one that best suits your individual needs.
At this appointment (usually lasting one hour) Dr. Culver will expose the bone in the area where the implant is to be placed. This is followed by a sequence of drilling to allow for the implant placement into your jawbone. After the implant is secure, a cover screw is put on the implant and the area is closed with sutures and allowed to heal.
After the completion of the implant placement, osseointegration begins. During this process the jawbone grows into and unites with the surface of the implant. This process takes approximately four to six months depending on your individual case. During this time, periodic visits with Dr. Culver will be required to follow the progression of the implant.
The Exposure
When osseointegration is complete an additional surgical procedure will be performed. This procedure is when the implant is uncovered, or exposed. This is a minor procedure (usually lasting 30 minutes or less) where Dr. Culver makes a small incision to expose the implant, removes the existing cover screw, and replaces it with a healing abutment. The tissue surrounding the abutment is closed with sutures and allowed to heal for two weeks. You will have another follow up visit 7 days from the exposure date.
After the two-week healing period you will meet with your general dentist for an appointment to have impressions taken in order for the dentist to fabricate the crown to affix to your implant.
Once your crown is placed, you will have one last visit with Dr. Culver so he can see the final restoration.
Hopefully this guide has answered some of our office procedural questions you had about the dental implant process. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.