Implant Placement: a Step-by-Step Guide

Dental Implants are amongst the most popular dental treatments on the market, here’s an in-depth look into how the procedure is carried out!

Step 1 - Assessment

Before anything is carried out, it’s important that the dentist examines and assesses the patient’s oral health, as well as whether there is sufficient healthy bone material - this is essential for successful implant placement. If there isn’t sufficient bone material, it’s likely that the patient will require bone grafting.

Bone grafting involves the dentist carrying out a separate procedure, where the objective is to stimulate bone growth. Bone grafting will prolong the wait time before implants can be placed, as time is needed for the bone to develop.

Step 2 - Implant Placement

The implant is placed into the jawbone, which is exactly where the roots of the natural teeth reside! There will be a temporary crown placed, and for the entire procedure the patient will be sedated or given a local anaesthetic.

Step 3 - Recovery

After implant surgery, the patient will need some time to recover, as well as to give the bone a chance to grow around the implant, which will hold it securely in place. This recovery period can last between 2-6 months.

Step 4 - Crown

After the recovery stage, the patient will have the crown placed on the implant, which is necessary to make the implant look like natural teeth. This is possible as impressions of the patient’s teeth will have been taken beforehand, so as to ensure a perfect match!

Step 5 - Smile with confidence

The next stage for the patient will be to show off their brand new smile! This treatment is what many consider to be the optimal tooth replacement treatment, which can last for decades and strongly resembles natural teeth.