When thinking about getting dental implants, one of the biggest points of concern for most patients is the implant placement surgery. Understandably, you might be a bit intimidated by the prospect! However, the process is easier than many people expect. What will you feel during the surgery, and how long does it take? This blog post provides some interesting information.
The Surgery Can Vary in Length
The amount of time you will spend in your dentist’s office for your surgery depends on a few factors, including:
- The number of implants you need. Logically, placing just one dental implant requires much less time than placing several.
- Additional procedures. In some cases, extractions or bone grafts are performed during the same appointment as dental implant placement. This can significantly extend the length of time you are in the treatment chair.
- Your care team’s skill and experience. Your dentist and their helpers will do all they can to work efficiently without compromising your safety or treatment results.
- The use of sedation. If you are sedated, your dental team may be able to work faster than they would if you were just under local anesthetic.
- Your unique oral anatomy. If your mouth has any unusual features, it might require your dental team to work a bit more slowly.
On average, dental implant surgery can take anywhere from one hour to several hours.
What Will You Experience During and After the Surgery?
You can expect to be fairly comfortable during the surgery. Even if you are not sedated, you may feel nothing more than a bit of pressure as your dental team carefully opens your gums and places implants in your jawbone. If you are sedated, you might not feel anything at all!
After any anesthesia and sedation wear off, you are likely to experience some soreness, swelling, and bleeding. You may be able to return to work within a day or two, but mild discomfort might last for a few weeks. Your dental team will provide instructions to support your recovery process.
After you heal from your surgery, and your implants have had time to bond with your jawbone, your dental team can move forward with designing your restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) to finish the tooth replacement process.
From beginning to end, the entire dental implant process can take several months.
Restoring lost teeth with dental implants can require both time and patience! Talk to your dentist to learn more about how this procedure works.
Meet the Practice
At Four Town Dental, our team is proud to feature multiple skilled dentists and specialists. We are able to perform start-to-finish dental implant care right here in our Enfield office. We strive to make the process both efficient and comfortable for patients. To learn more about what may be involved in replacing your lost teeth, contact us at 860-856-6928.