What to Expect from a Dental Implant Procedure?

At Four Corners Dental Group, Dr. Pete Higgins is a trusted expert in replacing missing or damaged teeth with dental implants. As a highly skilled dentist, he conducts comprehensive consultations and evaluations to assess overall oral health, bone density, and jawbone anatomy, ensuring that each patient is a suitable candidate for dental implants.

If you’re deemed suitable, a personalized treatment plan will be created tailored to your specific needs. This plan will take into account the number of teeth that need to be replaced, the state of your jawbone, and the kind of implant material that will be applied.

Advanced dental X-rays, 3D imaging, and sometimes models of your teeth and jaw are used to assist with treatment planning. This technology helps accurately visualize your bone structure, anticipate any potential complications, and determine the most precise location for the implant.

In some cases, tooth extractions may be required to make way for the implants. This is usually done before implant surgery to prevent infection and facilitate proper recovery. In some situations, your dentist may conduct bone grafting if your jawbone is extremely thin or fragile.

Following any preparatory treatments, your dentist will carry out the dental implant surgery. Under local anesthetic or intravenous sedation, an incision in your gums is made, and the implant is inserted straight into your jawbone. The implant is then secured in place with a healing screw.

The implant will require time to heal and fuse with your jawbone during the coming weeks or months. During this period, the region may be covered with a protective cap or a temporary prosthesis.

Once healing has occurred, a small connector post will be attached, known as an abutment, to the implant. This post will connect the implant to the artificial tooth or crown. Finally, the replacement tooth or crown will be created and attached to the abutment.

Dental implants provide a robust, solid tooth that looks and works just like a natural tooth, but the procedure is time-consuming and requires several appointments spread out over several months.

Dr. Pete Higgins, a respected member of the Four Corners Dental Group, is highly skilled in the dental implant process. This complex procedure, which can span several months or even exceed a year, involves a series of stages tailored to the individual’s unique oral health condition, the number of implants, and the state of the jawbone. It may also require supplemental procedures such as bone grafting.

The first part begins with a thorough consultation and examination, which often takes one or two meetings. Your dentist will thoroughly analyze your dental health, take X-rays and imprints of your mouth, and then create a personalized treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

Once this plan is in place, the surgical phase commences. A titanium implant will be inserted carefully, which serves as a replacement for the tooth root, into your jawbone. Small healing caps are then placed over the implants to facilitate recovery.

Osseointegration is the next critical phase where the implant fuses with the jawbone. This stage, which typically takes three to six months, is crucial for the implant’s stability. During this period, you may have to wear temporary restoration to protect the implants.

Upon successful osseointegration, an abutment, a small connector, will be attached to the implant. This component serves as the base for the replacement tooth or teeth. This procedure may require a few weeks of healing.

The final stage involves crafting and fitting the replacement tooth or teeth, also known as the final restoration. Whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture, this could require several appointments to ensure perfect fit and color matching with your adjacent teeth. The restoration, once attached to the abutment, completes the dental implant process, giving you a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing smile.

The time frame of the dental implant procedure varies depending on various aspects, including the number of implants, the need for bone grafting, health conditions, and individual recovery rates. Rest assured that Dr. Higgins at Four Corners Dental Group will offer you a specific plan and keep you informed throughout the procedure, ensuring the implant’s lifespan and success.

Many dental procedures require anesthesia, which successfully reduces or eliminates pain and suffering for patients. At Four Corners Dental Group, our experienced dentists, understand the importance of using the appropriate type of anesthesia based on various factors, including the procedure’s nature and complexity, the patient’s overall health, their medical history, and personal preferences.

There are three primary types of anesthesia used in dentistry: local, regional, and general.

Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is commonly used in many dental procedures. It numbs a small, specific area in the mouth, allowing the patient to stay awake and alert during the procedure. Whether it’s for filling cavities, root canal treatment, or gum disease treatment, a dentist will inject the anesthetic medication directly into the gum tissue. This approach preserves consciousness while alleviating pain at the injection site.

Regional Anesthesia: Regional anesthesia is another method used in dental procedures. This involves injecting anesthetic medications near specific nerves or nerve bundles to numb a larger area or region of the mouth. While this type of anesthesia allows the patient to stay awake, they may also be given a sedative to help them relax during more complex procedures.

General Anesthesia: For more involved or complex dental treatments that call for heavy sedation, such as oral surgery or the extraction of wisdom teeth, Four Corners Dental Group reserves general anesthesia. Administered by inhaling gas or receiving intravenous medication, general anesthesia puts the patient in a state of unconsciousness, free from pain and anxiety.

The choice of anesthesia for your dental procedure will be made based on the potential for discomfort, your overall health, previous anesthesia experiences, comfort level, and the complexity and duration of the procedure. Dr. Higgins and our team will discuss the options with you and make a recommendation based on these factors. 

After your dental procedure at Four Corners Dental Group, it’s completely normal to encounter some degree of pain or discomfort. This can vary greatly depending on the specific dental procedure and your personal pain tolerance. 

One common type of discomfort you might experience is a dull ache or throbbing sensation, particularly at the site of the dental procedure. This is typically accompanied by swelling or bruising. These symptoms may occur around the procedure area and can last for several days. 

You may also feel numb or tingly in the area where the dental operation was performed. This can continue for several weeks or months. Additionally, stiffness may occur in the jaw area where the procedure was performed, making it difficult to move the mouth without causing pain. This discomfort related to mobility is usually temporary and improves as your body heals.

In other circumstances, you may feel pain or discomfort in other parts of your body, such as your back, neck, or shoulders. This is usually due to the position you were in during the dental procedure. In addition to physical pain, feelings of fatigue or general discomfort may arise as your body recovers. Rest and recovery are essential during this time.

Less commonly, you might feel sharp or stabbing pain after a dental procedure. This usually indicates an issue that needs medical attention, such as an infection or complication from the procedure. If you experience any pain or discomfort that is severe, does not improve within a few days, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chills, or redness, it’s essential to contact Dr. Higgins at Four Corners Dental Group right away.

Always communicate with Dr. Higgins about the pain you’re experiencing after your dental procedure. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Basher AK, Campbell AK, Spenard AK, Midtown AK, and surrounding areas.