Are you an Aurora man or woman who is missing teeth, or needs to have diseased teeth surgically removed? If so, you will likely have them replaced with dental implants. Dental implants are the recommended tooth replacement option on the market today. But what is involved in the dental implant process? Dr. Ivey knows you will have a lot of questions about the procedure, and he wants you to be as educated and prepared as possible. Only during a consultation with Dr. Ivey will you be able to know what your unique dental implant procedure will involve, but to give you a place to start, the dental implant process is briefly covered below.
The Process
Dental implant surgery replaces missing tooth roots with metal posts and missing or damaged teeth with artificial teeth that look and feel like real teeth. Many Aurora patients prefer this tooth replacement option over alternatives, such as dentures and bridges. Dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that is performed in stages. Because there is significant healing time required between each stage, the dental implant process takes several months to complete. A typical dental implant process will look like this:
- You will first have a consultation with Dr. Ivey at his Aurora office. During that time, you will be able to tell him about your full medical history, ask any questions you have about the procedure and have the required x-rays and models made of your teeth and mouth. Once these things have been done, Dr. Ivey will be able to create an individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
- Once you’ve had your consultation with Dr. Ivey and made the decision to have dental implants placed, you will come in for the first surgical step in your dental implant process. If you have diseased or damaged teeth that need to be removed, Dr. Ivey will remove them, and if you require a bone graft or sinus lift, he will complete that procedure. You will be required to heal completely before Dr. Ivey will be able to insert the metal posts into your jawbone.
- Once you have healed from your tooth removal, bone graft, and/or sinus lift, Dr. Ivey will place the dental implant posts into your jawbone. You will be required to completely heal from this process as well to ensure dental implant success. The healing process for this step can take several months. While you’re healing, Dr. Ivey will be able to fit you with temporary teeth.
- When your jawbone has healed from having the dental implant posts inserted, you will visit Ivey Oral & Facial Surgery again to have the abutments placed on top of the posts. The abutment is an extension of the metal post and provides a place for the artificial teeth to rest. You will need to have a period of healing once more after this step. (There are circumstances in which the abutment can be placed at the same time as the metal post, depending on the stability of the post at the time of placement.)
- After a couple of weeks, when your gums and jawbone have healed, you will come to Dr. Ivey’s Aurora office for the best part – crown placement! Dr. Ivey will give you specific instructions for caring for your new teeth. Follow these to a “T” to help ensure your dental implants are a success. After all that time, the last thing you want is dental implant failure!
Call Ivey Oral & Facial Surgery Today!
Dental implant placement is a huge investment, both in time and money. Dr. Ivey and his staff believe that each of his patients should be informed and educated about oral surgery before they have their procedure. He uses minimally invasive procedures to give you fantastic results and reduce recovery time.
Dr. Ivey goal is to provide you with a smooth and comfortable experience where all of your questions will be answered in the most professional and caring way. You can reach his Aurora office today by calling (303) 493-1933.
