Alexandria Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center provides patients in Alexandria, LA with high-quality dental implants and tooth loss solutions. The process of receiving dental implants usually involves three steps: a consultation appointment, the surgical procedure, and the attachment of the replacement teeth. In most cases, your oral surgeon and your general dentist will work together to create and insert your custom dental implant crowns. The entire process takes three to four months, though sometimes patients can see faster results, depending on their treatment plan.
The Consultation Appointment
During your consultation, your oral surgeon will take scans of your mouth to get an accurate image of your teeth and the bone surrounding them. These images will eventually be used to create custom surgical guides for your procedure. After reviewing your scans, your surgeon will work with you to develop a treatment plan to replace your missing teeth. If your mouth is not ready for dental implants, your oral surgeon will talk to you about bone grafting or other procedures that can prepare your mouth for implant placement. You will be able to discuss any questions you have with your surgeon during this appointment. Before you leave, your surgeon will discuss your anesthesia options and give you pre-operative instructions to prepare you for your next appointment.
The Placement Procedure
At the next appointment, your surgeon will place your dental implants. After administering anesthesia for your comfort and safety, your oral surgeon will place the implants into the empty tooth sockets in the jaw. Many patients choose to undergo IV anesthesia, which allows them to enter a sleep-like state and wake up once the procedure is over. Most patients report that the procedure is over before they even know it has begun. Local anesthesia alone can also be used for certain dental implant procedures. Your anesthesia plan will be determined during your consultation appointment before the surgery.
Once your implants have been placed, the surgical sites will need a few weeks to heal. Temporary prostheses can be made so that your regular routine is not affected while you wait for your permanent crowns.
Attachment of the Crowns
Usually, your crowns will be placed by your dentist once the implant sites have healed completely (unless you opt to receive immediate dental implants). Your oral surgeon may need to attach the abutments to your implants before your dentist secures the crowns into their final position.
Denture Replacement With Dental Implants
Dental implant-supported dentures are ideal for patients who currently wear dentures but would like a more comfortable, long-term tooth restoration option. Traditional dentures can quickly restore the appearance of missing teeth, but they do not prevent jaw bone loss, dental shifting, or allow you to regain full function while eating.
Instead, you can eliminate the need for traditional dentures with implant-supported dentures. This treatment uses dental implant posts to support a fixed denture. There are no more removable parts and you can enjoy the same function and appearance as a complete, natural set of teeth. Learn more about denture replacement in Alexandria, LA, by contacting our office today.
Dental Implant Procedures at Alexandria Oral Surgery
Our oral surgeons, Dr. Fred Smith and Dr. P. Steven Arnold Jr. love seeing the beautiful results patients receive from dental implants. Although a soft foods diet will be necessary while the implant sites heal, patients find that the results are well worth the wait. Your implants will preserve your bone structure, restore your smile, and allow you to eat the foods you love for a lifetime.
If you would like more information on dental implant procedures at our practice, contact one of our offices in Alexandria, LA. One of our staff members will be happy to help you.