Preparing For Dental Implants: What Should I Expect?

If you are missing teeth and think that you may need a dental implant in Bowling Green, the team at Allen Oral Surgery & Implant Center is here to help with honest advice to let you know what to expect before your surgery. While not all of the following steps may apply to your situation, this overview will help you understand the process:

Step 1: Initial Consultation

The first step in the dental implant process is coming in for an initial consultation with Dr. Allen. Dental implants are not right for everyone, so Dr. Allen will assess your teeth and gums to make sure you’re a good candidate for implant surgery.

During this consultation, Dr. Allen will perform a comprehensive oral exam and take x-rays and images of your mouth. Then, he’ll assess the health of your mouth, gums, teeth and jaw bone to determine whether an implant is right for you. If he recommends a dental implant, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to begin planning your oral surgery.‍

Step 2: Restoring Your Oral Health

If it’s found that your mouth is not healthy enough for a dental implant, you may need to take some time to restore your oral health. Issues like infected teeth and cavities must be treated before implant surgery can begin. If you have an active case of gum disease, you’ll need to address this issue before you can have an implant placed to minimize the risk of infection.

Dr. Allen will provide you with further instructions and a treatment plan after your consultation to and ensure that you get the treatment you need to restore your oral health and become a good candidate for a dental implant.‍

Step 3: Tooth Extraction And Smoothing

If your damaged tooth has not already fallen out, it must be extracted and the jaw must be reshaped with an alveoloplasty. Even if your tooth has already fallen out, you may need an alveoloplasty to smooth out the remaining bone tissue and prepare it for a dental implant. It may take several months to heal from an extraction and alveoloplasty. ‍

Step 4 (Optional): Bone Grafts Or Sinus Lifts

If your jaw bone is healthy, you will not need either of these treatments, and Dr. Allen may begin the implant process right away. However, if your jaw bone is weak due to resorption, you may need bone grafts or sinus lift. A bone graft involves surgically implanting bone on the site where the implant will be placed to provide a strong hold for the implant.

A sinus lift is similar but is used for the upper teeth. Your sinus lining is moved back and bone powder is packed into the area where it will eventually harden and bond with the tissue, creating a stable platform for a dental implant.‍

Know What To Expect From The Dental Implant Process

We hope this has provided you with some insights on what to expect from the dental implant preparation process and the treatments that may be required to prepare for an implant. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the team at the Allen Oral Surgery & Implant Center today at (270) 842-0166, or come by our office at 1716 Ashley Circle Bowling Green KY 42104.