The process of receiving a dental implant can often be placed on the same day as your consultation appointment if you do not require any preparatory treatments like an extraction, bone graft, or sinus lift.
At your initial consultation, Dr. Schmitt will determine whether you need preparatory work and he will develop a treatment plan to establish the timeframe of your entire treatment. If you have adequate jaw bone and gum tissue to support an implant, you will be approved for surgery. Next, Dr. Schmitt will use digital imaging and specialized software to plan the placement of your implant.
‍
To begin the placement process, Dr. Schmitt will clean and numb your mouth, and you can also be sedated for a more comfortable procedure. A small opening will be made in your gum and jaw bone, and the implant will be placed in the proper position. Then, the area will be cleaned and sutured shut.
‍
Over the next 6 months, your gums and jaw bone will heal, and your implant will go through the “osseointegration” process. This means that your implant becomes fused with your jaw, and acts as an artificial tooth root. You will be given a temporary crown, bridge, or denture to wear over your implant until your healing process is complete.