At Prime Time Dentistry, each dental implant surgery is personalized and meets our patients’ goals, needs, and budget. We take time to develop your treatment plan and address your questions about surgery during this initial process. Therefore, you can expect your consultation for dental implants in Frisco, TX, to be comprehensive and personalized. Genuine relationship-based care that you’ll experience throughout your entire treatment. We encourage you to learn more about what you can expect with your dental implant treatment at Prime Time Dentistry, then reserve your consultation or free second opinion with us!
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Meet Your Implant Team
At the beginning of your consultation, we’ll introduce you to our implant team, who will provide your treatment. Our team will conveniently complete your treatment’s surgical and restorative phases right in our office to ensure the highest possible quality and efficiency. We want you to have a fantastic experience that results in the smile you’ve always wanted. Our team is here to help you realize the permanent benefits of dental implants and how a new smile can improve your life.
Complete Diagnostic Testing
Our state-of-the-art practice is equipped with many technologies that help make your treatment process smooth and predictable. You’ll receive a CBCT scan and digital impressions with our iTero® scanner. These 3D images assist us in precisely planning out your dental implant placement and creating the custom surgical guide we’ll use during the procedure. We want your smile to last the rest of your life, so we meticulously plan your surgery—where each dental implant should go and at what angle—to provide the most significant functional benefits.
Receive Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Each patient presents unique oral health situations, treatment goals, and specific sedation needs. This is why we take so much time addressing your concerns, discussing your goals, and completing diagnostics. All these together create a comprehensive picture of what you want and need, from which we can develop a custom treatment plan (or plans). While you’ll most likely have multiple options, we always use only the highest-quality materials scientifically proven to provide function and natural aesthetics for decades.
Choose Your Financing Options
At your consultation, you can also discuss financing options with our patient care coordinator and learn about our high-quality materials and dedication to standing behind every service we deliver. Financing makes it fast and easy to pay for more complex or lengthy treatments like dental implants. We never want you to feel like this amazing treatment is out of reach for financial reasons, so we’re here to ensure you have affordable options. We partner with CareCredit®, LendingClub, Proceed Finance, and Lending Point and can help you apply for one or any of these options. Rest assured, your new smile is within reach!
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
When you get dental implants, you are replacing the tooth roots with tooth posts made of metal. These dental posts are like screws for artificial teeth. Implants are a little different than some bridges or crowns because they function and look like real teeth.
How your dentist performs the dental procedure depends on the implant you need, if you have any allergic reaction, and the jawbone condition. You may have to have several dental procedures so that your bone can heal properly around the implant. This healing could take time but will support the new tooth securely.
Initial Evaluation
Your dentist or oral surgeon will first do a comprehensive examination to determine the condition of your jawbone and the best dental implant procedure. This initial evaluation includes X-rays, taking impressions, and matching the color of your teeth to make your implant look as natural as possible.
You will determine how many teeth you want to replace with implants, which could take some additional planning with other dental specialists, like periodontists, depending on your oral health condition.
You will also discuss all your medical conditions and medications. Depending on your condition or orthopedic implants, you may need to take antibiotics before the surgery to avoid infection.
Tooth Extraction (if required)
If you still have a remaining tooth that needs replacing, your dentist will remove it before the dental work is performed. You can have this done at the same time as the implant insertion.
Your dentist will discuss anesthesia options. Most likely, your dentist will use a local anesthetic of novocaine (or lidocaine) to feel numb and take away any pain. It shouldn’t take long to remove the tooth unless it’s fractured.
You will feel a little tug and pressure while the tooth is extracted. After you get the extraction, you should avoid blowing your nose, smoking, spitting excessively, or drinking through a straw. These actions can create a dry socket and pain.
Inserting the Dental Implant and Bone Grafting
There are two types of dental implants: one where the implant is inserted into your jawbone and the other that goes directly under the gumline. Let’s discuss if you have the implant added to your jawbone. If your current jawbone is strong and thick enough, you may not need to get any extra bone added.
Your jaw needs to be strong because there is a lot of pressure when you chew, and you need your bone to be strong to protect that implant. If your jaw needs some extra bone, this bone typically comes from another area of your jawbone away from the implant area.
You may have to let the bone heal first if you have a graft before adding the implant. Once the bone heals, the dentist or surgeon will add the implant.
After the implant is added to your jawbone, the jawbone will begin to grow around the implant. The implant then becomes part of your natural gum line. This process varies by person and can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months.
Abutment Placement
Once your implant is stable enough, the dentist will place an abutment on top of the implant. This piece connects the implant to your crown. The abutment needs to be tightened to stay in place when you eat.
You will not feel anything during this procedure other than a bit of pressure. You will get local anesthesia in that area.
Sometimes the abutment can be placed simultaneously with the implant since it goes past the gum line. It will be visible, so you must discuss how to mask this piece since it will show when you smile. The dentist will add a healing cap to keep the tissue and bone from growing overtop of the abutment.
Adding the Permanent Crown
After your gums heal, your dentist will make your artificial tooth or crown. You can choose to have a removable implant or a permanent one. If you have multiple teeth in the back, just like removable dentures, you may want the removable option so you can clean and replace them if needed.
You can’t remove a fixed implant to replace or to clean. It is permanently screwed in the abutment or glued down with cement.
Other Things You Should Know About Dental Implant Steps
Choosing dental implants is a big decision. They may be expensive, but the success rate is about 95 percent. Here are some other things to keep in mind.
Your jawbone needs to heal during this process, so there are multiple steps. It’s not a procedure you can get in one visit.
You will not have a tooth until you add your crown. You will need to discuss temporary options like a retainer, dental flippers, or a temporary crown with your dentist.
After the Surgery
It’s natural to have some discomfort after the surgery. You may notice some bruising on your gums, swelling around your gums and face, minor bleeding, and pain at the implant site.
It would be best if you stocked up on some soft foods after the surgery. You may also want to have some ice packs on hand to help reduce any swelling. Avoid tobacco because it could increase your chance of infections, such as root canal infections, and stain your teeth. We also offer root canal treatment.
Maintaining good hygiene habits to protect this implant would be best. That means flossing daily and brushing your teeth twice a day. Avoid chewing hard candies that could damage your implants.
Ready for Your Dental Implants?
Now you know the dental implant steps. It’s essential to talk to your dentist or surgeon to answer all your questions and understand the procedure. If you are looking for a dentist for dental implants or other dental services, contact Prime Time Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.
