Patients who are eligible for dental implants in Houston can look forward to a high quality, long lasting tooth replacement. Dental implants complete a smile like nothing else, and Dr. Steve Koo and the team at Piney Point are true leaders in implant dentistry. First, we prepare for dental implants, then place them in the jawbone, and after a healing period of six months to one year, we restore them with the final prosthetic. Keep reading to learn what you can expect from the dental implant surgery and preparatory procedures.
Dental Implants: The Preparation
Before we can place your dental implants, we need to create the perfect environment for them to thrive. If the unsalvageable tooth is still present in the gum line, we will extract it and usually allow it to heal over a period of weeks. If the tooth is not present, you may have already experienced jawbone degeneration that will require a bone grafting procedure to boost volume in the area. Sometimes the dental implant can be placed on the same day as the bone graft, but if not, we will send you home with detailed postoperative instructions to help you enjoy a speedy, comfortable recovery until your dental implant placement.
Dental Implants: The Placement
Once your jawbone has fully healed from any preparatory procedures, you will return to our office to have the metal posts implanted beneath the gum line. Local anesthesia numbs the implantation site, and IV sedation or general anesthesia are available for added comfort.
Placing dental implants requires significant planning, and Dr. Koo uses the cone-beam CT scanner for maximum precision. This tool gives your implant dentist an in-depth look at the bones, teeth, and all the neural pathways in your jaw. With the composite image, Dr. Koo puts together a treatment plan for the precise placement of each dental implant.
When we are ready to begin, Dr. Koo opens the gum and, using the surgical guides, places each dental implant. A single dental implant is used to support a crown, and multiple dental implants retain a bridge or complete denture. After the dental implants have been placed, the gum is closed and the healing period begins.
Dental Implants: The Recovery
You will likely experience some discomfort and swelling in the days following your dental implant procedure. Your implant dentist will provide you with specific instructions on what to eat throughout recovery, but make sure you avoid consuming anything at all until the numbness has worn off after the surgery. Take all medications as prescribed and get plenty of rest in the first few days. Your symptoms should start to improve after several days, but if they worsen or don’t get better, notify your dentist immediately.
Dental Implants: The Restoration
After the dental implant and jawbone have fused together, you will return to the office of your oral surgeon in Houston for the placement of the connecting abutment. Sometimes, if the dental implant is very secure, the abutment can be placed on the same day as the first dental implant procedure. The gums are allowed a brief time to heal before molds and measurements of the jaw are taken, with which we create the prosthetic device. Soon after, the tooth replacement is affixed on top.
Let’s Get Started!
If you have questions about your upcoming dental implant procedure, do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at Piney Point. Dr. Koo is a leader in the placement of dental implants in Houston. Contact us today!