Overview of Implant Placement

The Dental Implant Surgical Procedure

The procedure to place a dental implant takes approximately 30-45 minutes for one implant, and sometimes only 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants depending on the patient’s needs. The number of appointments and time required is patient specific.

At the time of the procedure, IV sedation may be implemented to increase patient comfort. Profound local anesthesia will be administered to numb the area where the dental implant will be placed.

When the patient is comfortable, Dr. Ali makes a small incision in the gum tissue to reveal the bone, creates a space using special instruments, and gently inserts the titanium implant. The tissue is closed with sutures and the patient is sent home on antibiotics and pain medication.

The length of time is also patient specific, depending on the quality and quantity of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed. Dr. Ali will advise you on recovery and timing. After the initial phase of healing, Dr. Ali places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto the dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows the gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant so that the restorative dentist can make impressions and fabricate the final restoration.

When are dental implants placed?

Implants are often placed several months after extraction. However, an implant can also be placed immediately after the extraction of a tooth. This may involve a little more risk, and the site(s) need to meet specific requirements. When infection or other problems with the bone are present, immediate implant placement is not recommended.

If the tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent supporting bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink. This occurs because the root of the natural tooth has to be present to stimulate the bone. As much as one third of the jaw’s thickness can be lost in the year following tooth extraction. If a patient is missing enough bone, additional bone grafting may be necessary. This ensures that the implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in the jaw.