Dental Implants: Your Surgical Experience
- Lebowitz Dental Team
- Feb 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.
Your dentist has recommended dental implants for your missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. Surgery is used to place the implants in your jawbone. Most implant surgeries are performed in a dental office. Read on to learn more about what to expect with surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
To prepare for surgery, follow your surgeon's instructions. Also:
Tell your doctor if you're taking any medications, herbs, or supplements.
Wear comfortable clothes to the office.
Take antibiotics as prescribed.
If you will be sedated or asleep (under general anesthesia) during surgery, arrange for an adult to give you a ride home. Also, don't eat or drink for several hours before surgery.
During Surgery
The length of surgery depends on how many implants are placed. If you're awake, you may hear sounds or feel vibrations. But you shouldn't feel any pain.
Upon arriving, you may be asked to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic.
You may also be given medication to help you relax or to make you sleepy.
Right before surgery, the jaw is numbed.
The surgeon will make an incision in the gum to expose the jawbone. This allows the surgeon to prepare the bone.
To prepare the bone, a precise hole is slowly and gently drilled into the jawbone. The size of the hole depends on the size of the implant.
The implant is twisted or gently tapped into position.
Then the incision is closed with stitches.
In some cases, abutments are placed at the same time as implants. Abutments are connecting pieces that join artificial teeth (prostheses) to the implants.
Risks and Complications
The risks and complications of implant surgery include:
Bleeding
Infection
Failure of the implant (jawbone doesn't fuse to the implant)
Injury to adjacent teeth or sinus
Injury to nearby nerves and muscles
Lebowitz Dental Associates has been proudly serving Arizona families since 1917.
From cosmetic care to complex cases, we bring generations of trusted experience and compassion to every smile. Need an appointment? Call us at 602.264.2905 or request one online here. We’d be honored to care for you. Learn more about us here.
