As with a holistic medical treatment, it is  advisable to quit smoking before undergoing dental implant procedures. Smokers are at higher risk for dental implant failure. Smoking can result in the breakdown of gum healing and can lead to major complications with dental implant or bone grafts.

Dental implants are placed into the jawbone after the dentist prepares a small hole into the site where the tooth is missing. This site is slowly widened to accommodate the dental implant. After the implant is placed, the gum tissue is replaced over the implant and a protective cover screw is placed on top for healing. After up to 6 months of healing, the implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached, that will hold the crown or tooth-like replacement to the implant. In some cases, the abutment may be placed at the same sitting as the implant. When the abutment is placed, a temporary crown will be provided to promote healing.

With today’s medication regimes and advanced surgical techniques, there is very little discomfort after implant procedures. A combination of local anesthesia and sedation dentistry, if necessary, is used during implant placement, so patients do not feel pain during the procedure.

Dental implants can be placed anytime after adolescence or when bone growth is complete.

Dental implants are unique because they are the only way to actually address the loss of a tooth’s root system. Moreover, they are low maintenance and durable. Patients with implants will brush and floss their biological and prosthetic teeth as normal. The titanium construction of the dental implant is very long lasting because this metal is strong and compatible with bone mass. Since the body won’t reject dental implants as foreign objects, people can enjoy these replacement teeth for decades.

When restoring teeth with crowns and bridges local anaesthetic is used and the teeth need to be prepared with dental drills. Dental implant restoration is less invasive than placing crowns and bridges on teeth and local anaesthetic is rarely needed.

In order to obtain an accurate impression, cords are temporarily placed in the gum for the impression to be taken. After the impression procedure, provisional crowns are made for you to wear while the laboratory fabricates the final crowns and bridges. Often local anaesthetic is required while we remove the provisional crowns and issue the final crowns and bridges.

Dental implant restoration is a lot simpler. The healing caps are removed from the dental implants and a precision fitting impression post is attached. The impression is taken and the healing caps replaced. After the dental laboratory manufactures the implant crowns and bridges the healing caps are once again removed and the crowns and bridges placed. We often do not need local anaesthetic with this procedure.

The evidence in the dental literature shows that dental implants are stronger and more dependable than conventional bridges cemented to natural teeth, or traditional partial or full removable dentures. Importantly, dental implants may be used to support a bridge or dentures when multiple teeth are missing to restore aesthetics, function and confidence.

Also, dental implant restorations are not susceptible to cavities.

Healing from the surgical dental implant placement procedure depends on several factors:

For Single Tooth or sectional replacements, immediate loading is less predictable than allowing delayed healing.

For Full Arch Implants, replacing an entire jaw of teeth, the implants can be loaded immediately - see our All-on-4 information.

The density or bone hardness is important. Softer bone will need to have a longer healing time before the implant crowns are placed. Diabetic or compromised health patients will also need longer times for implant healing.

Generally 4 to 6 months healing is needed depending on the above factors. Fitting and seating the crown or other restoration may take up to 2 additional months However, every case is different, and routine follow-up appointments and regular dental check-ups are  essential to maintain good oral health.

A dental implant restoration can remain in place and function properly for more than 40 years when proper oral hygiene is followed and regular dental check-ups are maintained.

How soon you can return to work after your implant placement surgery depends upon your individual situation. Usually people can return to work the day after implant placement. Different factors might affect your healing as well as your comfort level in returning to your everyday activities.

Ensuring proper healing will not only help you get back to work more quickly, it will also help ensure that your dental implants are successful. Some common factors that affect healing and the long-term success of your implants include:

- How well you follow your post-operative instructions
- Whether or not you are a smoker
- Whether you are in generally good health

The length of time required for successful healing also depends upon how many implants you’ve had placed. If you have only had one or two teeth replaced, you might feel ready to go back to work the day after your surgery. If you have received more implants, a longer recuperation time might be more comfortable.