Dental Implant Treatment Process | Stratford, CT | Brush & Floss Dental Center
At Brush & Floss Dental Center, Dr. Jeffrey C. Hoos has earned a reputation for delivering consistently high quality dental implants. The process is composed of four main steps: a detailed consultation, the implants placement, a healing period, and the final restoration. Here, we will go into detail on the process. Please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Brush & Floss Dental Center, Stratford, CT to learn more about dental implants and whether they are the right option for you.
Consultation
The dental implants process begins with a detailed consultation, where Dr. Hoos will discuss and determine the various options with you. We want to make sure we address your questions and concerns in order to mold the process around your needs. Our staff will describe the various problems associated with missing or decaying teeth, the function of natural tooth roots, and the weaknesses of traditional methods of tooth replacement, such as dentures and bridges. We want to make sure you are fully informed on the problem and its solution, so you can make the best decision for your dental well-being.
Once you and Dr. Hoos have decided upon a treatment solution, we still go over the treatment process with you in detail. The doctor and the staff will also take the opportunity to go over any remaining questions.
Dental Implants Placement
After the in-depth physical evaluation, what follows is the actual placement of the implants. The surgery usually requires one visit. During the procedure, the implant is buried beneath the gum, protecting it while it heals. The dental implant is a small titanium post that effectively replaces the original tooth root. Before the implant is placed, a small hole will be drilled where the missing tooth once stood. This hole will guide and hold the dental implant insert. Following the surgery, your gums will be sutured to begin the healing process.
The jawbone will integrate with the implant on its own, through a process called osseointegration. During this process, groups of small cells will synthesize new bone tissue, traveling through small perforations across the surface of the dental implant. You will be fitted with temporary replacement teeth until your permanent replacements are fitted during the final restoration.
Healing Period
Following the placement of your implants, you will undergo a 3–6 month recovery phase. It is at this point that osseointegration fuses the implant with the jawbone. During this time, it is very important for you to maintain a good oral hygiene routine! Not flossing and brushing is the leading cause of implant failure. You will also need to avoid hard foods that will place excessive pressure on the implants, to avoid damaging them before they are fully healed. Dr. Hoos will give you specific instructions on how to maintain your dental implants during the recovery period, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have during the process.
During the healing period, you should feel only minimal discomfort. Swelling of the gums and face may occur, as well as minor bleeding and bruising of the implant site. Dr. Hoos may prescribe pain medications to relieve any pain or discomfort that you may feel. We urge that you undergo routine check-ups with us, so that we can monitor the progress of your dental implants.
Nearing the end of this period, you will come into our offices for a procedure during which a small metal post will be attached to the implants. This post or extension is referred to as the abutment. These posts are either stock-manufactured or custom-made, and are placed between the implants, the gums, and the mouth. Also at this time, Dr. Hoos will make any necessary adjustments to your temporary teeth, allowing you to continue to wear them until your permanent teeth can be installed.
Final Restoration
Once your recovery is complete, you will return to Brush & Floss Dental Center, in the area of Stratford, CT for the final phase of the dental implants process. It is in this part of the process that your prosthetics are manufactured and connected into your osseointegrated implants. There will be one or more appointments, during which you will “try-in” your permanent replacement teeth. These try-in sessions will make sure that the color, size, and shape of your replacements blend in with your natural teeth and the characteristics of your face.
Schedule a Consultation with Brush & Floss Dental Center, Stratford CT
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We also suggest visiting our frequently asked questions page. Although the dental implants process can take up to six months, our patients find that the investment is well worth the time. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with us today to begin your journey towards a beautiful smile.